Mary Anne Christoffersen

Mary Anne was born on May 23, 1939 to the late John and Gladys Murphy. She was a lifelong Staten Island resident.

In 1959 she married her loving husband Alan. They raised their five sons in Castleton Corners.

Mary Anne was an English teacher at Tottenville High School for 20 years.

Mary Anne dedicated her life to caring for others. Her work ranged from helping elderly neighbors to knitting for the prayer shawl ministry at Saint Teresa Church to tending the community garden at Moravian Church. She was actively involved in running the food pantry at Saint Teresa for many years. In 2019 she was named St. Teresa Parish Woman of the Year for her work at the food pantry.

An avid reader with a fondness for poetry and literature, she was a member of Adam’s Curse book club for decades.

She loved gardening and transformed her small yard into an oasis for humming birds, finches, cardinals and countless plants, flowers and vegetables.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Alan, her brothers, Jack and Dan Murphy, and her grandson, Jimmy Rice. She is survived by her sister Kathleen Dixon, her brothers Tom and Ed Murphy, her five children Alan (Maria), Steve, John (Mary), Brian and Kevin, her three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Wednesday January 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Avenue, Staten Island, New York.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, January 4 at St. Teresa Church, 1632 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10314.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Saint Teresa Food Pantry.

Mary Anne Christoffersen, a lifelong Staten Island resident, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2022, surrounded by her family. Mary Anne was not only a dedicated educator but also a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In 1959, Mary Anne married her loving husband Alan, and together they raised their five sons in Castleton Corners. For two decades, Mary Anne served as an English teacher at Tottenville High School. Her life was marked by a profound commitment to caring for others. Whether assisting elderly neighbors, knitting for the prayer shawl ministry at Saint Teresa Church, tending the community garden at Moravian Church, or actively participating in running the food pantry at Saint Teresa, Mary Anne consistently demonstrated a selfless spirit. In recognition of her tireless efforts, she was named St. Teresa Parish Woman of the Year in 2019 for her exceptional work at the food pantry. A passionate gardener and avid reader of poetry and literature, she dedicated many years to the Adam’s Curse book club and spent ample time in her garden. For the full obituary, click here. Predeceased by her cherished family, Mary Anne will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.