GAFFNEY, MARY ANN (nee Stokes), of Cape May passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 with her family at her side. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Mary Ann has been a resident of Cape May since 1981 after moving here from Medford Lakes. Over a 28 year span, she worked as a tour guide for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts in Cape May. Having a great love of history, she served as a member of the Historical Preservation Commission in Cape May including many years as the Chairperson. A woman of great faith, she was a devoted and active member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Cape May where she volunteered for many church causes and functions; she was also a Eucharistic Minister for over 30 years. One of her greatest traits was her kindness and caring for others in need. She delivered food to families. She organized relief for a refugee family from Cambodia. She drove many people to their doctor appointments during illnesses. She was always there when someone needed her. A woman full of spirit and life, she held many interests from gardening, sewing, quilting, reading, to painting and fixing up her beloved old home. She immensely enjoyed her bridge club and friends, but above all, she loved spending time with her family. Hosting family dinners, baking cookies with grandchildren, sitting on the porch sipping wine and spending late afternoons on the beach with Jerry gave her so much joy. Her family will forever miss her. She is predeceased by her beloved niece, Mary Kay Stokes. Mary Ann is dearly missed by her loving family which includes her husband of 61 years, Jerry Gaffney; five children, Mary Pat Myers (and Guy Portewig), Katie (and Joe) Silvernail, Ann (and Frank) Zilinek, Teri (and Donny) Arndt and Jerry (and Debby) Gaffney; seven grandchildren, Derek, Joshua, Hunter, David, Kristina, Abigail and Benjamin; three siblings, as well as nieces and nephews. Mary Ann’s Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday (May 27th) at 11am in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St., Cape May where friends will be received by the family from 9:30am until 10:50am. Interment has taken place privately in Cold Spring Cemetery, Lower Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May) info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com
End Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400
