Mary Stacie

Mary Stacie, born March 9, 1948, to Anna T. Devine and Adelbert G. Starses of Hartford, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026. She was the third child in her family and is predeceased by her brother, George Starses.

Mary leaves behind her beloved daughter, Anne Reed and her two cherished grandchildren, Marshall and Sierra Reed, who have affectionately called her “Gramcracker” since they were little. She also leaves her siblings, Donald and Eileen, as well as her niece, Sonny and nephews, Michael and Christopher. Mary is also survived by her dear friends, Virginia and Jim, and Marilyn and Susan, whose companionship brought joy, laughter and steadfast support throughout her life.

In her youth, Mary played piano, wrote music and dreamed of becoming a singer. She was a proud graduate of Windsor High School. She later spent more than twenty years working for a large insurance company before pursuing her true calling. Deeply passionate about helping others, she earned her degree in Counseling from Central Connecticut State University. She went on to work for Community Health Resources and eventually established her own private counseling practice, which she maintained with dedication until her passing.

Mary was known for her compassion, her fierce belief in people’s potential and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. An avid reader, she saw education as a powerful tool for empowerment. She loved sitting in the sun, tending to her plants and indulging in decadent foods.

Mary’s legacy is one of kindness, passion and quiet strength—qualities that touched countless lives. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, clients and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Family and friends may call on Thursday, May 7 from 4-6 p.m. at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to Protectors of Animals, 144 Main Street, Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118 or online at https://poainc.org/donate/