Mary Ellen McCrea, age 73, of Jefferson Township, New Jersey passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, in her home surrounded by family in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Born on November 22, 1952, in Queens, New York, Mary was the third of four and the only daughter of Alfred and Mildred Schoch.

Mary met her husband Gary through a mutual friend, and they married October 1, 1983. Mary’s love for her family and children was unparalleled, and she often expressed this through time spent with them; whether that was vacationing at Knoebel’s amusement park in Pennsylvania, visiting the family summer house in Peconic, Long Island, spending the day at 1st beach in Lake Shawnee, having a musical jam session with her brothers covering the Beach Boys, or never missing one of her children’s baseball or softball games with the scorebook in hand. Mary was an avid animal lover and always found joy in life’s simple pleasures.

Mary’s passing leaves a void in all the hearts that knew her. Her laughter, her love, and ability to make everyone feel cherished will be missed but never forgotten.

Mary is survived by her husband Gary of 42 years, her children, son Gary Jr., daughter Carolyn and her husband Joseph, and son Michael. She also leaves behind her brothers, Paul and his wife Dianne, James and his wife Dianne, and John. Mary’s memory will be forever cherished by her sister-in-law Cathy and her husband George; her brothers-in-law Karl and his wife Cathi, and William and his wife Christine; as well as all her nieces, nephews and their families, and step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Mildred Schoch, maternal and paternal grandparents, nephew Daniel and sister-in-law Susan.

As we say goodbye to Mary Ellen McCrea, we celebrate the life of a woman who was a beacon of kindness and love. Her memory and light she brought into this world will be treasured forever by those who knew her.

A celebration of life will take place on the east coast at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Mary Ellen McCrea to the ASPCA, 11th Hour Rescue, or an animal shelter of your choice.