Marian Metzger, longtime Alaska resident, died Friday, September 18, 2009, in Lynnwood, Washington.  She was 87.   
Marian was born in New Brighton, PA, on July 31, 1922, and grew up in nearby Beaver Falls.  She obtained her pilot’s license in 1940 and during WWII she worked at Curtis Wright as a propeller inspector, welding and braising.  After Curtis Wright closed its doors in 1946, she unsuccessfully tried to find work as a pilot, but decided to become an airline hostess.  She started with Pennsylvania Central Airlines and was hired by Alaska Airlines in the spring of 1948, where she met her future husband, Warren, on her first flight.  They were married in Asmara, Eritrea, Africa, in January of 1949 while taking part in Operation Magic Carpet, the historic Jewish Airlift.  
Retiring as a hostess after starting her family, Marian maintained close ties within the aviation industry.  She was an honored member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Eastern Star, the D.A.R., a founder of The Nexus Foundation, and worked tirelessly to encourage research and education related to naturopathic medicine, health, religion, and science.  After moving to Seattle, she joined the Tahoma Clinic as an allergy technician under world-famous naturopathic physician and crusader Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD. 
A dynamic woman of great personal charisma, she was loved and admired by many, but is best remembered for her ready laugh, her kindness, courage, and sense of adventure.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, aviation legend Warren Metzger, and survived by her brother Paul, of Arlington TX, daughter Darragh, of Lynnwood WA, sons Warren Carl II (“Chip”) and Timothy, of Anchorage, daughters-in-law Kimberly and Christa and son-in-law Dameon Willich, as well as six grandchildren: Peter, Ava, Raymond, Warren David, Kenan, and Elise. 
The family will host a celebration of her life on October 17, 2009.  For more information, please contact Chip at wcmak@acsalaska.net, Darragh at darragh@clearwire.net, or Tim at themetzgers@alasak.com.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

Published October 16, 2009 in the Ballard News Tribune.