Today’s Leader of Faith
MARILOU HOBOLTH McCULLY
Home Call : 24 April 2004
A courageous missionary, Evangelist, Pianist, Church Music Director, Community Leader
Marilou Hobolth McCully (1928-2004) was an American missionary and devoted servant of Christ, best known for her work in Ecuador alongside her husband, Ed McCully, during the 1950s. She grew up with a strong sense of faith and a passion for music. Her life was a beautiful testament to love, service, and unwavering faith in God. Marilou and Ed moved to Ecuador in 1952, where they worked with the Quechua people at the Arajuno mission station. Despite the tragic death of Ed, who was brutally killed in 1956 during Operation Auca among the Huaorani people, Marilou continued her journey of faith and raised their three sons on her own. She moved to Federal Way in 1963, where she worked at Auburn General Hospital and remained actively involved in music and missions at her church. Known for her kindness and joy, Marilou impacted countless lives through her love, music, and unwavering dedication to serving others. Throughout her life, she remained a committed follower of Christ, maintaining a strong emphasis on faithfulness, service, and honoring God’s calling. Her work and dedication were further commemorated through the Ed and Marilou McCully Papers at Wheaton College, which document their missionary journey and serve as a lasting legacy of their contributions to the Christian faith.
Marilou was born on April 18, 1928, in Michigan. She pursued her education at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where she developed both her musical talents and a deep commitment to Christian ministry. During her time at Moody, she cultivated her skills in piano and was actively involved in various ministry-related activities. It was at a Christian youth event in 1951 that Marilou met Ed McCully, a meeting that would eventually lead to their marriage.
After moving to Ecuador in 1952 with Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML), Marilou worked at the Arajuno mission station, focusing on evangelism and community outreach among the Quechua people. She played a significant role in teaching music, which was a key aspect of her ministry, and helped support the development of the local Christian community. She and her husband, Ed McCully, composed simple two-line songs in the Quechua language. These songs were taught to local children as part of their evangelistic efforts. After the tragic and brutal death of her husband, Ed, while on a mission, she chose not to remarry. Despite the profound loss, she remained steadfast in her faith and continued to honor his memory through her ministry. Deeply involved in music and missions at her church, she touched countless lives. She was also one of the world’s great dog lovers and a passionate Mariners fan. Her missionary life was documented and also her story has been featured in Elisabeth Elliot’s radio series “Gateway to Joy,” specifically in the episode titled “From Tragedy to Triumph: Marilou McCully”.
Marilou Hobolth McCully passed away on April 24, 2004, at the age of 76 in Sumner, Washington, after a long battle with cancer. As a touching tribute to her and her husband’s missionary work, her ashes were scattered along the Curaray River in Ecuador, the same place where her husband, Ed McCully, and four other missionaries were killed in 1956 while trying to reach the Huaorani people.
— John Michael, Rajahmundry