MaryAnn Gibney

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of MaryAnn Gibney (née Caruso), age 86, of Wayne, NJ. MaryAnn passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December, 16, 2023, while in the loving care of her family.

MaryAnn was born in Dunmore, Pa, to Louis and Mary Caruso. She was always an enthusiastic student who excelled in school. At the age of 14, MaryAnn’s family relocated to New Jersey where MaryAnn continued to excel academically. She graduated high school as class salutatorian and continued her education at Kean College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and graduated with honors. Upon graduation, she quickly found a job teaching second grade in East Orange, NJ.

While on a rare night out with girl friends, MaryAnn unexpectedly met a handsome and outgoing man by the name of George Gibney. George thought MaryAnn was a “knock out”. They started dating and married on July 8, 1961 at the Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church in Paterson, NJ.

After starting a family, George built MaryAnn a home in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, where they happily lived for nearly twenty years. When they outgrew their home on Pine Terrace, George built them a home in the Valley section where they lived together for many years. 

MaryAnn was a resilient and devoted mother who, without complaining, took on the role of caregiver for her disabled son. She clearly saw his intelligence and academic potential and unwaveringly advocated for his educational rights. She was always his biggest supporter, and he credits her with his success.

MaryAnn was an avid reader with a passion for knowledge. She especially loved history and knew many obscure and fascinating facts. She never failed to dazzle with her knowledge of European history. Her ability to retain information was impressive. Even as adults, her children felt she knew everything about everything.

MaryAnn loved to travel. She kept notebooks with meticulous details of all the vacations she and George took. When anybody needed help planning a trip, MaryAnn was the go-to person. She would eagerly write up a detailed itinerary for anybody who asked. George and MaryAnn traveled all over the US, Europe and the Middle East. 

In addition to travel, MaryAnn was a master puzzler. She always had a jig saw puzzle on the table, and she loved to work on it with her grandchildren. She also did the Wall Street Journal crossword everyday and kept special crossword pencils. MaryAnn was also a talented seamstress and cook. She made many memorable Italian and Syrian meals for her family and friends.

Not only was MaryAnn was dedicated to her family, she was also dedicated to her Catholic faith. She never missed mass, not even when traveling. She was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church since 1961. She was the cherished wife of George for fifty-three years of a loving marriage filled with wonderful memories. Her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother. Known as Ma by her five grandchildren, she had a special bond with each of them. MaryAnn’s calm nature, strength and quiet determination was inspiring.

She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Surviving are her devoted daughters, Susan and her husband Frank Dipre of Wayne; Georgene and her husband Anthony O’Loughlin of Wayne; her dear son Joseph of Wayne; beloved grandchildren Caroline, Alexandra and Luke Dipre and Niamh and Liam O’Loughlin; dear sister Madeline Cittadino of Lafayette; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. MaryAnn was predeceased by her loving husband George in 2014 and her cherished sister Bess Byrouty in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, donations in MaryAnn’s name may be made to Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church, 155 Long Hill Rd, Little Falls, NJ 07424.