Mary Anne (Cobane) Dunphy

Mary Anne Dunphy (nee Cobane) 68, passed away peacefully at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, NJ surrounded by family and friends on October 30th, 2023.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ on Friday, November 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. The funeral will begin in the funeral home on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. then to Holy Cross R.C. Church, Harrison, NJ where a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ

Mary Anne was born June 1, 1955, to William and Mary Cobane. She leaves behind her husband John (Jack) Dunphy, her son John, daughter-in-law Rubi, her grandchildren Cassandra and Connor and her brother William “Bill” Cobane.  She is survived by her sisters-in-law Trish Suplee (Jim), Maureen (Tom), Clare Beth (Terry), and brother-in-law Kevin.

Mary Anne graduated from Jersey City State College with a bachelor’s degree in Language Arts and a master’s degree in Literacy. She also obtained additional specialization focusing on the Holocaust. She began her teaching career at Holy Cross School where she served as Principal for several years. In 1984 she transitioned to her public teaching career at Washington Middle School until her retirement in 2017. During her tenure there she taught and mentored numerous students, enhancing their reading and life-long learning skills, and exposing them to new adventures.

Mary Anne’s life was dedicated to her family, friends, and her community. She grew up in Harrison where her heart remained, despite moving to Kearny in 1983. She was a member of many charitable organizations, and her volunteerism was truly immense. Her accomplishments included receiving the Hudson County Woman of the Year Award and 2016 Deputy Grand Marshall of the West Hudson Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. She volunteered as a CCD teacher at Queen of Peace Church, Girl Scout Leader, and held memberships in the Harrison/East Newark Women’s Elks, Harrison Lion Club, and West Hudson United Irish organizations. Her most rewarding recognition was when the Harrison Children’s Library was dedicated in her name for her years of commitment to the children of Harrison. Her “Story Hours” were infamous and the crafts that the children made were notoriously a big hit.

Mary Anne’s energizing spirit, compassion, kindness of heart, and love of learning will live on through all the lives she has touched; she made a difference to so many! On any given day, Mary Anne could not walk down the street without running into a parent, former student, or colleague. In fact, many of her former students still included her in their own family events and children’s lives. She always considered her greatest success to be the success of her students.

This empowered woman will surely be missed.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Mary Anne's memory to Camp Fatima of New Jersey. http://campfatimanj.org

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