Mary Ann (Gross) Bishara, R.N.

Mary Ann Gross Bishara, RN, passed away on Saturday, September 10 after a brief illness.  She was born on February 14, 1943 to the late William and Mary (Knickerbocker) Gross in Buffalo, New York.

Mary Ann grew up on the West River of Grand Island, New York where she was an avid athlete and clarinet player.  She attended the Buffalo General School of Nursing and began her career at Buffalo Children’s Hospital.  

Mrs. Bishara married the late Norman D. Bishara in 1966 and left nursing to raise her three children.  She was well known in her DeVeaux neighborhood as a volunteer for the Whirlpool Park Little League, Maple Avenue School, and as a leader for both the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.  

Mary Ann returned to nursing in the late 1980s, first at the Niagara County Methadone Clinic and later as a school nurse for the Niagara Falls City School District.  She took great pride in being known as a good listener and advocate for children throughout the school district and especially at NFHS.  

Mary Ann was an active member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church where she was a member of the Ladies Club and a former Church Board member.  She was also the spirit of St. George Family Camp that she devotedly attended for over 40 years, serving multiple times as the camp director.  Her favorite group of friends was the women from the Excelsior Mother’s Club who were all like sisters to her.  Mary Ann loved to travel across the world with her husband, Norman, to find the greatest deal while shopping, and to cheer on her six grandchildren at all of their activities.  She was also known for her “German” Lebanese cooking, especially her amazing baklawa.  

Mary Ann is survived by her three children, Elizabeth (Vincent) Lia of Niagara Falls, Susan (Anthony) Santarosa of Youngstown, and Norman (Sarah) Bishara of Ann Arbor, MI; her six grandchildren, Elise and Danielle Lia, and Alessandra, Anthony, Annah, and Amelia Santarosa; her brother, Charles Timothy (Jane) Gross of Orlando, FL and her sister-in-law Dr. Mary Ann (late Daniel) Bishara; and many nieces and nephews and her special church cousins.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband Norman and her parents, and by her sister Barbara (late Charles) Marlin.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. in the Chapel of OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME, in the Town of Niagara, where funeral services will begin on Thursday, September 15th at 9:45 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. celebrated in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Road, Niagara Falls, NY, with the Very Reverend Paul R. Solberg officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY.  A Trisagion Prayer Service will  be offered on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral chapel. Donations in her memory can be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305.  Please visit www.ottoredanz.com for online condolences.