Mary Alice Kubiak, 102

Mary Alice (Merley) Kubiak passed away Nov. 15 in Spokane, Wash., at the age of 102. She died peacefully in her sleep, attended by family members.

Mary Alice was born June 21, 1921, to Charles and Lillian Eggert in Oaksdale, Wash.

Merley grew up in Spokane with her parents and sister Marjorie. She graduated from Franklin Grade School and Mary Cliff High School. Following high school, she traveled to Milwaukee, Wis., to attend Marquette University where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism. Merley also attended Holy Names College in Spokane, earning an education degree.

While at Marquette Merley met and fell in love with Russell Kubiak, another journalism student from Milwaukee. Russell graduated in 1942 and entered the U.S. Army, serving during World War II with the storied Rainbow Division in France, Germany, and Austria. After graduation Mary Alice returned to Spokane and served as a staffer to Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest III with the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Spokane. 

Mary Alice and Russell were married in Spokane in 1945. The couple moved to Racine, Wis., where Russell worked for the Milwaukee Journal newspaper. They returned to Spokane in 1948. Merley had two sons, John while in Racine and Mark after settling in Spokane.

During her long lifetime, Merley engaged in many activities and pursuits. She worked many years at Eggert’s, her mother’s women’s wear store in Spokane. She taught English and journalism at Holy Names Academy for 11 years, where she also served as advisor to the school yearbook. 

In summer months, she loved spending time at her family cabin on Spirit Lake, Idaho, a pastime she enjoyed from her high school days until the mid-1980s. In winter, she spent decades skiing with her family at Mt. Spokane, Schweitzer, and various other resorts around the western U.S. She played tennis for many years, and was a member of Spokane Racquet Club. She entertained family and friends as a member of the Spokane Club. She was also active in the Manito Garden Club. Always caring about her community, she volunteered for many years at Sacred Heart Hospital, St. Augustine’s school and Altar Society.

Merley was a crossword puzzle fanatic and completed one daily, always keeping two or three crossword dictionaries near her kitchen table. Bridge was her passion and she played avidly from college until age 102, just months before her death.

Merley traveled extensively around the U.S. as well as many European countries, Russia, Africa, China and South America. One of her great joys was taking her grandchildren on trips to foreign lands.

She was devout in her Catholic faith and was a faithful member of St. Augustine’s Parish for well over 50 years.

Mary Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Charles Eggert; her sister, Marjorie Loosmore; and her husband, Russell Kubiak.

She is survived by her two sons, Russell John Jr. (Jenny) and Mark Steven (Susie) of Dover, Idaho. Merley had five grandchildren, Krista Crotty (Jeff), Spokane; Riggs Kubiak (Ashley), Morristown, N.J., Garrett Benson (Andy), Spokane, Augustus Kubiak, Dover, and Julian Kubiak, Dover. Merley had seven great-grandchildren, Malachi Crotty, Saurin Crotty, Jonah Crotty, Brady Benson, and Jules Benson, all of Spokane, as well as Lane and Ryder Kubiak of Morristown.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Church followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery on Dec. 6, 2023.

Donations in her memory can be made to Sisters of the Holy Names, 2911 Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA; or The House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific Ave. Spokane, WA 99201.