10/24/2025
A Stroll Down Memory Lane
Josh, our Project Coordinator, recently joined our resdient, Marji Shahan for a stroll through Tacoma to revisit the places that shaped her life. A lifelong North End resident, Marji shared stories and memories that brought local history to life.
Their first stop was Lowell Elementary School, where Marji recalled the statue of two boys, one holding a brick, honoring a true story of heroism during an earthquake. Next, they visited Bryant Elementary, where Marji taught from 1972 to 1992. She was amazed to see the brand-new building that replaced the original.
Driving through the Stadium District, they admired the mix of new and old landmarks. One familiar name stood out to Marji, Rainco’s Drugstore “I think that’s the only business still around,” she said with a smile.
At St. Luke’s Church, Marji shared the story of the Wright family, whose name is tied to many Tacoma landmarks, including Annie Wright School, Charles Wright Academy, and Wright Park. The church, originally built in 1883, was later rebuilt brick by brick at its current site.
Their final stop was Marji’s childhood home on 33rd and North Mullen Street. Her grandfather, who worked at a mill, built their front door by hand and it still stands today.
When asked why she chose to move into Weatherly Inn, Marji explained that her mother lived here beginning in 2005, and her husband later moved into Memory Care in 2021. Not long after, Marji joined the community herself.
Marji’s warmth, stories, and lifelong connection to Tacoma make her a wonderful part of the Weatherly Inn family.