Mary Ann Gazey, beloved wife, aunt, teacher, traveler, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully at the remarkable age of 97. To know Mary Ann was to be reminded that life is best lived with curiosity, kindness, and a healthy dose of wit.
Born with a sharp mind and a soft heart, Mary Ann spent over 30 years teaching in the Macungie School District, instilling in her students not just a love of learning, but a love of life. She had a gift for making the everyday extraordinary—whether that meant solving a crossword puzzle over breakfast, coaxing a room into laughter with her quick wit, or teaching her family the art of Middle Eastern cooking straight from her church cookbook.
Mary Ann shared 60 devoted years of marriage with her husband, Mike. Together they lived adventurously, including a treasured chapter in France where she fell head-over-heels for the culture, cuisine, and cadence of life abroad. France remained her great love (second only to Mike and her family), and her smile grew widest when recounting stories of their time there.
Her nieces, nephews, and their children will forever treasure the joy of Christmas mornings with “Aunt Me”—when she patiently endured 4:00 a.m. wake-up calls from overexcited little ones, always greeting them with a smile, no matter how much sleep she had sacrificed. For others, it was her presence at Sunday dinners, listening intently to football chatter or diving into another crossword puzzle. Each memory holds a thread of her warmth, patience, and joy in simply being with family.
Mary Ann never stopped learning or moving—her curiosity about the world and commitment to keeping both body and mind active gave her a long, full, and vibrant life. She was a devoted opera-goer, an enthusiastic traveler, a fearless embracer of technology, and a fiercely independent woman who led by example. Her mantra, “all problems have solutions,” will echo in the lives of those who loved her.
Above all, Mary Ann will be remembered for her deep love of family, her sharp intelligence, her adventurous spirit, and her ability to make those around her feel both at home and inspired. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the lessons she taught, and the laughter she shared.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 23 at 10am in St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, 905 South Main St, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Arrangements are by Mamary-Durkin Funeral & Cremation Services, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre, PA.
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Debra Gault says
August 21, 2025 at 1:27 pmI am so sorry for your loss. I knew Maryann through aqua aerobics and other classes at the Steel Fitness gym. She was such an interesting person to talk to and she always talked so fondly about her family. This picture is perfect because she always had a smile on her face. I’m glad she had such a long, happy life. May she Rest in Peace
Kristin Skinker (formally Helfrich) says
August 22, 2025 at 12:51 amI am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Gazey’s passing. She was my favorite teacher and I had her in 5th grade. She was short like me and always talked about how I could do anything even though I was small. I remember he speaking French in class. She inspired me to write and love writing. I am now in my 24th year of teaching and I am the teacher I am today partially because of how she cared for her students. I am grateful that I knew her even for a short time
Kristin Skinker (formally Helfrich) says
August 22, 2025 at 12:51 amI am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Gazey’s passing. She was my favorite teacher and I had her in 5th grade. She was short like me and always talked about how I could do anything even though I was small. I remember he speaking French in class. She inspired me to write and love writing. I am now in my 24th year of teaching and I am the teacher I am today partially because of how she cared for her students. I am grateful that I knew her even for a short time
Mary Anne Igo says
August 27, 2025 at 10:00 pmI am so sorry to hear of Mary Ann’s passing. I met her through my nail tech and used to clean her house for her for about a year until last September. I loved hearing her stories of her beloved husband and her time in France. It was fascinating to listen to when she spoke of her him and their travels together. I know she missed him deeply, still. You could see it in her eyes. She was a funny, witty, not so tech savvy (she always had something not working properly and wanted me to “fix” it.) LOL She was a kind, sweet woman, and now, she is with her true love. Her stories of her family were wonderful. She would beam with such love & joy in her heart, and she was so proud of everyone. I know she looked forward to going to her beach house in Brigantine, NJ every summer. RIP Mare. My condolences to the family. God Bless.