Mary Ann Guaragna - Obituary

ary Ann Guaragna “Mern”, age 68, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025 in her home surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born in California on December 6, 1956 to the late John and Margaret Gannon, Mary Ann was one of four children. She married Alfred Guaragna in Silver Spring, MD on October 29, 1983 and they lived in Upper Marlboro, MD for 40 years. Mary Ann graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Botany. She worked as a plant pathologist and scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 37 years. Mary Ann loved being around her family, whether it was on the sidelines of a soccer game or cooking Sunday dinner. She was passionate about her garden, sunflowers, her family vacations at the Outer Banks, disco dancing, singing, popcorn with milk, hummingbirds, and cheering on the Washington Commanders. She was tiny, but mighty. She was loyal and kind, caring and compassionate, always putting others first. She was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, friend, and Mimi. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Al Guaragna; her daughters, Gina (Zack) Notes and Angela (Adam) Marsh; her grandchildren, Nico, Luca and Knox Notes; her grandpup, Finley; her brother, Mick (Sue) Wilkinson and her extended family, including in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her brother, John Gannon, Jr. and her sister, Barbara Dubik. Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Mary Ann on Thursday April 3, 2025, from 4 to 7 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Mass of Christian burial will be offered on Friday April 4, 2025 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Avenue Davidsonville, MD 21035. Inurnment will follow at Lakemont Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the PSP CBD Foundation (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy/Corticobasal Degeneration) at pspcbdfoundation.org/honor. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.