Mary Ann Chubenko

Mary Ann Chubenko, 78, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at her home, with her beloved husband Rev. Dr. Taras, her special "Frankie" and caring friend Diane at her side. Born in Allentown, PA to Dr. Fred C. and Catherine Knappenberger of Whitehall, PA. She learned early on that a full life is a life devoted in service to all. With that attitude after graduating from Whitehall High School, she continued her education graduating from the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. In 1966 she married the love of her life Taras. Her path took her to her first position as a head nurse working at W.T. Edwards TB hospital in Tampa, Florida where her husband was on Army duty, then as a head nurse of Pediatrics at Bellefonte Community Hospital in Centre Valley, PA, to Nursing Supervisor at Woodbridge Developmental Center in Woodbridge, NJ. Taras and Mary Ann had four sons, Taras"Terry" (Victoria), Eric (Michelle), Gregory (Tania), and Peter (Kristina), 14 Grandchildren, Jessica, Tyler, Katelyn, Samantha, Stephanie, Aleksandra, Hunter, Logan, Zoe, Matthew, Cristian, Alex, Tatiana, TJ and 4 great grandchildren. She continued serving by singing responses in church for various services and in the process learned to understand and sing in the Ukrainian language. She was a remarkable person because she never found a reason to say no to anyone. Whenever she was asked to lend a helping hand, she was ready and willing. The task didn't matter, her main concern was that the effort was always worth giving when it aided someone. One of her great joys was helping and serving those with various disabilities, with no regard to the disability, just that she could share her love and caring for those less fortunate. Her involvements were many and varied, and those that worked alongside her often remarked how she could continue serving and be so full of energy and maintaining her pleasant demeanor. Even when she was stricken with various illnesses, she never complained, but went on helping and being a friend, and through all that she earned the respect of many by being called "sweet Mary Ann."
Above all else Mary Ann was dedicated to working along side her husband at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral for 40 years giving total dedication to her four sons and their families. Her "boys" were her greatest joy and pleasure. She always made time to be with them no matter when or where. As they and their families grew and moved, her heart was always focused on them and the extended families they created. When you thought there was no more love to be given, this remarkable mother and grandmother always found a way to sooth the pain, massage the broken spirit and heal the wound.
Words certainly fall short when it comes to describing the precious person many learned to call Mary Ann. She will not only be missed by her family, but by the many she touched over the years with her love and kindness. A beautiful unrestricted soul with a heart that knew only love and forgiveness. She most assuredly leaves a huge void in the small space her body occupied in this vast universe.
Funeral services will begin at 9:15am on Friday, September 22, 2023 from the CHUBENKO FUNERAL HOME, 625 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading followed by a10am funeral service at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Carteret. Interment will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery, South Bound Brook.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ann's memory may be made to "Alzheimer's Research" or "Aid for Ukraine" through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.