In Memory

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her, O Lord
and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon her. 
May Maureen and all the faithful departed
through the Mercy of God rest in peace.

"I will wait for you"




Maureen B. Braeden
(April 22, 1933 - August 15, 2011) 

Maureen Braeden

Maureen Braeden, 78, of Anacortes, Washington, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, August 15, 2011 with her family gathered around her. Maureen was born in Sacramento, California on April 22, 1933 to Elwood & Bernice Gilson. She attended the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California, graduating in 1955 with a degree in education and a minor in music. She taught elementary school until she met her husband, Cecil Braeden, an Air Force Lieutenant at the time, stationed at Mather Air Force Base. They married three months later. Throughout Cecil’s Air Force career, they lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, Fort Worth, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, Edwards AFB in California, Beale AFB, California and Langley AFB in Virginia. She was a tremendous support to Cecil’s military career, while raising five children. After Cecil’s retirement from the Air Force, the family moved to the Los Angeles area, where Cecil worked for Hughes Aircraft Company for a short time, before settling in Auburn, Washington, while Cecil worked for Boeing. After retiring from Boeing, Maureen and Cecil built their dream home in Anacortes, Washington. They put out word to family and friends that their Northwest home was open for visitors. They loved entertaining and were wonderful hosts to visitors from around the world and to many of their new Anacortes friends. Maureen was an avid doll collector, collecting dolls from many countries and eras. She was an active parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes. Her favorite time of the week was her hour at Adoration. Maureen was blessed with a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing, especially in the church choir. Throughout her life, people sitting near her in church would turn and tell her what a beautiful voice she had. In January,2011, a “little woofie” named Zoey came into her life. Zoey provided great companionship, joy, and comfort through Maureen’s passing. Maureen is survived by Cecil, her husband of fifty five years; daughter Theresa Fazekas, daughter Cecilia Braeden, daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Gian DeCaro, daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann Braeden and Mark Shropshire, son Robert Braeden, grandsons Justin Hopkins, Domenico DeCaro, and Allesandro DeCaro as well as her great-granddaughters Indiana & Scarlet Hopkins. She is also survived by her sisters, Joanne Badella and Nancy Olivas, and her brother, Joseph Gilson. A visitation will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2011 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes. Interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Hospice of the Northwest Foundation: P.O. Box 1376, Mt. Vernon, Washington 98273. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Washington and the San Juan Islands. Share memories of Maureen and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.