Marie Johnson Luzius

Marie Johnson Luzius passed away peacefully on April 28, 2015 at age 88. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on January 23, 1927 to James E. and Jessie Mae Johnson, she was one of nine children. She met the love of her life, Donald H. Luzius, a U.S. Coast Guard Officer, at the Corpus Christi naval base. They were married in Pensacola Florida on November 2, 1946, and together began a life of love and adventure, raising five children in Texas, Florida, Alaska, Washington State, California, Michigan, and the Philippine Islands. Their last duty station was at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. Upon retirement, they moved to their dream home on the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia where she lived very happily from 1973 to 2011. She spent her last few years in Traverse City, Michigan. Marie was a wonderful cook and an amazing and gifted gardener. She brought the gift of humor and fun to her friends, neighbors, and family. She was equally at ease entertaining at elegant affairs – as she often did in her role as Commanding Officer's wife – as she was digging in the dirt. She was proud of her Texas heritage and loved to tell stories remembering fondly her upbringing and her beloved extended Texas family. One of her greatest joys was making memories with her children and grandchildren. Her annual Christmas cookie production with the kiddos was a much loved and gloriously messy tradition. She would gladly cook a terrific meal for you and your friends at a moment's notice. Her house was the one where your friends loved to hang out. Fishing, boating, bird watching, and enjoying the peaceful sunrise on the Potomac with a cup of coffee were pleasures she freely shared with all. She had a caregiver's heart - if someone needed assistance, Marie was there in a flash to help. She was a blessing to all who knew her. Marie was preceded in death by her husband Donald Luzius and her brother Jimmy Johnson. She is survived by four sisters, two brothers, her five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Funeral service at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Dr. Alexandria, VA on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 1:00 PM. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, June 5 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, or http://www.dsanv.org/base.cgim?template=donate.

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Marie Johnson Luzius

January 23, 1927 - April 28, 2015