Mary Ann McGuinness

Mary Ann McGuinness, 81, originally of Jersey City, NJ, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026 in Manassas, VA. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Loretta McGuinness; her sisters, Noreen Davidsen and Mary McGeary; and her niece, Jennifer De Andrea. She leaves behind her nephew Kevin De Andrea and his son Christopher.

Mary Ann dedicated her professional career to serving and building her community. She taught elementary school as a fourth-grade teacher, special education teacher, and reading teacher for 25 years at Greenbriar and Flint Hill Elementary Schools in Fairfax County, VA. She graduated from Madison College in 1966 with a Bachelor’s in Education and earned a Master’s in Special Education from George Mason University in 1976.

Mary Ann was a forward-thinking educator who believed deeply in nurturing young minds through critical thinking and hands-on exploration. Before retiring in the 1990s, she designed and led a pioneering program in reading, writing, and technology—giving all 900 students hands-on problem-solving experience using just three classroom computers at a time when such access was rare.

In her personal life, Mary Ann lived with quiet strength and self-reliance, finding joy in gardening, lifelong learning, the companionship of her beloved cats, and the enduring warmth of both family and found-family. Though fiercely independent, she was never alone. She nurtured multiple circles of close friends across decades and communities—each of whom considered her family. She shared holidays, quiet moments, and life’s milestones with these cherished groups, welcomed in homes where her presence was a gift, and where she, in turn, brought wisdom, laughter, and loyalty.

Mary Ann’s intellect, compassion, and unwavering spirit left a lasting mark on all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the minds she shaped, the friends who loved her, and the quiet companionship she shared with her cats.

The Celebration of Life for Mary Ann will be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 2 at Heritage Hunt Country Club, 6901 Arthur Hills Dr., Gainesville, VA 20155.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to For The Cat’s Sake, a charity she believed in, at https://www.forthecatssake.org/ or PO Box 471, Flint Hill, VA 22627.