Marian Malonson has been fighting for social justice and against the death penalty for years. Still, she was stunned to learn she is the recipient of the 2015 Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen Humanitarian Award, given by Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.

“I feel so undeserving,” said Malonson, 85, who lives in Hansville on the Kitsap Peninsula and is an active member of St. Cecilia Parish on Bainbridge Island.

“We were looking for someone who is a peace builder and a community person, a living witness to our faith traditions in the spirit of Archbishop Hunthausen and what he stood for,” said Sister Haydock, executive director of the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center and a member of the award nominating committee.

One of the factors in choosing Malonson was her “lifetime commitment to be in solidarity with those on the margin,” Sister Linda said. “Most evident is her work against the death penalty. She and her husband (Ray, who died in 2007) worked for 40 years on that issue.” 

Malonson received the Hunthausen Award March 26 during Catholic Advocacy Day in Olympia, a day when Catholics meet with their state legislators to advocate for the poor and vulnerable. It was presented by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain.

The award was established in 1991, the year Archbishop Hunthausen retired, and is now given every other year to a practicing Catholic involved in faith-based advocacy consistent with Catholic teaching, said Mary C. Brown, executive assistant for CCS.

“Marian is constantly there,” Brown said. “She talks to legislators, serves on committees, is a true example of what a lifetime commitment is all about.”

Malonson said her husband, on his deathbed, told her, “Get rid of the death penalty or I’m not coming back.” Today when she walks in a room, someone will say, “Here comes Marian. Death penalty,” she said.

Malonson, a former Dominican nun, opposes capital punishment because “it is not preventative, does not keep other people from murder. And ending life is God’s job, not ours,” she said. The money spent on killing prisoners should go to other, more needy causes, like housing for the homeless, Malonson added. 

Besides working against the death penalty, Malonson is always helping others, said Jennifer Ibach, pastoral assistant for outreach at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in West Seattle, who considers Malonson an aunt.

“She picks people up who can’t drive, helps at the senior center, is constantly doing stuff for other people,” Ibach said. “She’s 85 years old and her calendar is filled, she’s so busy all the time.”

When Brown told Malonson that she had been selected for the Hunthausen Award, she protested that those who nominated her weren’t objective because they are her friends.

“I can’t find anyone who is not your friend,” Brown replied.

This year’s nominating committee included representatives from CCS, IPJC, the Washington State Catholic Conference and the archdiocesan Missions Office and its Life, Justice & Peace and Family Life Ministries. The selection of Malonson was approved by the archbishop.