Obituary of Mariellen Hiatt

Mariellen M Hiatt (76) of Tucson, Arizona, by way of Woodlake, CA, Fukuoka, Japan, Long Beach, CA, Morocco, Okinawa, Guam, several other locations and Tucson, Arizona passed away on May 3, 2023. 

Mariellen was born to the late Edward C and Constance (Vanover) McCullough on July 12, 1946 at Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, the second of three children. She is survived by her children, Lynn, Jason, Christopher and Timothy, siblings Judith (Joe) and James, and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Mariellen graduated from Palo Verde High School on June 5, 1964 and attended a semester at University of Arizona, originally in music, before working in Airlines Communication at TWA while living in California. She was already at Christian’s in Action headquarters in Long Beach, California when Alan Hiatt, future husband joined. 

Mariellen and Alan married June 9, 1972 and, after completing missionary training and deputation, made their way across the ocean to Japan in June 1973 where they served as missionaries while raising four children. 

Mariellen spent her years in Japan supporting Alan, raising her children, teaching English to ladies groups, sharing her cooking and singing, always singing. Any moment was a good moment to burst into impromptu song. 

Mariellen and Alan received the call to return to the United States and work at the Christian’s in Action International Headquarters in Woodlake, CA and, along with their four children, did so in May 1997. 

Mariellen supported Alan at headquarters with data entry, editing and miscellaneous tasks. She began driving again after returning to the US and, in an effort to make additional income, began selling PartyLite and Home & Garden Party supplies. 

Mariellen and Alan retired as missionaries in 2013 and moved to Tucson, Arizona, initially planning to live with and care for her father who passed away in 2014. After moving into a rental house, Mariellen became song leader at Tanque Verde Baptist Church where Alan was interim pastor. 

They purchased a Georgetown RV and traveled around the U.S.A. and Arizona visiting and just enjoying a slower pace of life. Mariellen enjoyed reading Christian romance, romance and the Bible. She spent time working on arts-n-crafts, making jewelry of various kinds (earrings, bracelets, necklace, etc.) and selling pieces at local craft markets. 

In July 2021, Mariellen suffered a stroke brought on by complications with her diabetes and moved into a care home as her needs outweighed Alan’s ability to care for her. In June 2022, Alan moved to the same care home as Mariellen where they spent their 50th wedding anniversary under the same roof. 

After Alan passed in June 2022, Mariellen continued to live in the care home before passing in her sleep on May 3, 2023. 

Please join Mariellen’s family in a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m. (MST) at Dodge Chapel in Tucson, Arizona; live streaming will be available. 

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations be made in Mariellen’s honor to the charity of your choice.