MaryAnn MacDonald McGuckin Kopie was born on November 27, 1944 in South Orange, New Jersey. She was the second child and only daughter of Donald Vincent Roalyn MacDonald and Mary Carolyn MacDonald (nee Morrison).  Every generation in her family had the first-born daughter named Mary and she was affectionately called Ninsy by her father and Anne by her uncles. She is survived by older brother Donald Patrick MacDonald ("Pat") and younger brothers James MacDonald (Linda Cavaluzzo) and John MacDonald (Linda nee Eschwege, deceased). MaryAnn married James Martin McGuckin in 1962 during the beginning of their college/nursing school careers in Burlington, Vermont.

Soon after their marriage they welcomed son, James Martin, Jr. (Tracey nee Caffrey) followed by daughter, Kathleen Mary (Susan Worthington) and then son, Robert Joseph (Olga nee Monell).  MaryAnn put her nursing school on hold to care for their young children while James finished college, while both worked to support the quickly expanding family. After living for a period in Glens Falls, New York, the young family relocated to South Jersey for a new job opportunity (a $500 yearly pay increase!).  Shortly after daughter, Janice Anne (Michael McCarthy) was born, MaryAnn decided to attend Cooper School of Nursing in Camden, New Jersey.  The young couple lived in seven places and had four children in six short years (& usually far from family).

MaryAnn finally realized her lifelong dream of being a nurse in 1972 at the age of 28. She was the first Cooper Nursing School student to be accepted who was married with children. They required all students to live in the dormitory and MaryAnn received a special accommodation to remain at home at the end of her school day. She received that accommodation under the condition that if her grades were not adequate, she would have to leave her husband and children and live in the dormitory.  In spite of the grueling schedule and responsibilities, she was the top student in her class and received multiple awards at graduation.

MaryAnn began her nursing career at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey where she worked overnights in the emergency department for almost twenty years (her favorite position since that work covered all aspects of nursing). While working at Cooper, her fifth and final child, Jennifer Lynne (Marc Mignano) was born at Cooper during shift change with all of MaryAnn's co-workers (friends) sticking around for the birth!  She worked in a coma unit at Cooper University Hospital; she worked at Bayada Home Care; she worked at multiple nursing homes throughout South Jersey where she eventually became Director of Nursing fulfilling her career goals.  Nursing was MaryAnn's essence and she always pursued further training and education to learn new techniques, new technologies and new practices.  MaryAnn also passed on her love of nursing to new generations through teaching at local colleges and mentoring numerous younger nurses over her forty-five years in nursing.

MaryAnn met Michael Kopie, Jr through mutual friends and married him in 1992. They were married for 34 years, until his death in 2020.

MaryAnn is survived by her brothers, children, grandchildren (Olivia Mary, Georgina Angela, Isaac James, Aiden James, Nathaniel Joseph, Sadie Ann Sandra, Anthony Robert and Logan Patrick), nieces and nephews (Angela Gowans (nee MacDonald), Andrew MacDonald, Jennifer Pazirandeh (nee MacDonald), Daniel MacDonald and Rachel MacDonald).  While MaryAnn had no sisters by blood, she was very close to her sister-in-law Linda Cavaluzzo and very dear friend of over 50 years, Mary Alice Smith, who became a sister to MaryAnn and aunt to her children and grandchildren.  When daughter, Jennifer, started to date her husband, Marc, both of the mothers learned they shared the same exact birthday! Over the years, they enjoyed celebrating their joint birthday festivities, vacations, special events and became sisters at heart sharing many interests.  She is also survived by many, many friends from Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School, Mount Saint Dominic Academy, Cooper School of Nursing, co-workers from all of her nursing positions and from her beloved Port Elizabeth community.

MaryAnn loved family and always traveled to visit family as often as possible.  She always did her best to make every special day or event even more special with decorations, treats and acknowledgements.  She would make weekly visits to the bakery to get fresh treats towards the end of each week.  MaryAnn sent cards and letters for every holiday, birthday, anniversary and special moment in the lives of all she knew and loved.

MaryAnn was an avid reader who loved science, history and poetry. MaryAnn grew up going to her family's summer home in Hartford, New York. This time in her life created a lifelong love of nature (birds, flowers and animals), the outdoors, swimming, boating and family. She grew up in the same household with her grandmother and uncles which also furthered her love of being with and caring for family in every moment of her life.  MaryAnn loved being creative and used that creativity when she sewed us outfits, blankets, curtains, robes, slippers (and even curtains for our Van!).  She loved cooking and baking.  She was known for her MaryAnn Surprise dinners, green pepper dip, pepperoni rolls, cranberry bread and her amazing cherry cheesecake!

MaryAnn always supported organizations close to her heart and that helped her or her loved ones.  The Family is asking that in lieu of flowers that you kindly donate in her memory to: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish or Elementary School in South Orange, New Jersey (her alma mater and family Parish), Ronald McDonald House Charities or Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Viewing at Padre Pio Parish, 4680 Dante Avenue, Vineland, New Jersey 08361 on August 27, 2022 from 10 am-12 pm; Mass of Christian Burial immediately following. Interment will be private.