Marie Ann Kupetz

Marie Ann (Chinchar) Kupetz

Marie Ann (Chinchar) Kupetz passed peacefully at her home in Tuscarora on Feb. 12, 2024, surrounded by her adoring family.

Marie was many things: a loving wife to Joe (Kupey) Kupetz, a proud mother of two daughters, a devoted Roman Catholic, a celebrator of her Irish heritage, but, most of all, she was Granny to everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

Marie was incredibly proud of her daughters, Marie (Susie) Ritsick and Colleen Agosti, and loved her sons-in-law, Bob Ritsick and Steven (Beaver) Agosti, like they were her own sons. She doted on her four grandchildren, Jessica and Michael Ritsick and Steven and David Agosti, attending all their school plays and sporting events, and traveling to their various graduations from higher education. She never failed to tell everyone how proud she was of, and how much she loved, her family.

Small but mighty, Marie was a granny's granny, with white hair, warm hugs, and an open door for anyone who needed it. She radiated love and warmth, and was happiest when she was taking care of others.

Granny's house was where everyone went for a full belly and a good belly laugh. When you came to visit, you were guaranteed something to eat - grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, halupki, and rice pudding were her specialties. So many people have wonderful memories of snow days where she made us French toast and scrambled eggs, or sick days sitting with her and having her cure all, tea and toast.

Marie was always smiling, happy, and laughing. She had a permanent, mischievous twinkle in her eye and loved a good joke, whether she was making it or in on it. Few grannies would've watched "Knocked Up" with their grandchildren, or continued laughing when pranked with a hidden stuffed skeleton. Her comedic timing was legendary. Her family maintains a running list of granny-isms, like "I'm as good as I can be for how I am." Harder of hearing later in life, there is no shortage of stories of her misheard utterances. Once, when asked if she took a fall, she responded "No, I'm off salt." Of her many stories, among our favorites are her tales of her youthful shenanigans with her twin sister, Ann, and their best friend, Audrey. From throwing going-away "parties" for young friends headed off to the seminary, to "traveling" abroad to assist wildlife, she lived a long life of adventure filled with laughter.

Marie is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Colleen and Beaver of Tuscarora, and Susie and Bob of Still Creek, and her grandchildren, Jessica (Washington, D.C.), Michael (Still Creek), Steven, and his wife, Lauren, and great-grandson Leo (Walnutport), and David, and his wife, Alyssa, and granddog, Tilly (Bethlehem), and innumerable nieces, nephews, and extended family who will miss her open arms and infectious laugh.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved mother and father, Helen (Brennan) and John Chinchar; four siblings, brothers: Joe, John (Buddy), Danny Chinchar; twin sister, Ann (Chinchar) Smith; and loving husband of 58 years, Joseph Kupetz.

Service: Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 307 Pine St., Tamaqua. Interment, St. Bertha's Cemetery, Tuscarora. Call 9-10:30 a.m.. Thursday, E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Tamaqua Area Adult Daycare Center, 801 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252. Online condolences can be offered at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.