Mariann Coughlin Stackpole, 83

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  A career educator, social activist, and musician, a current resident of Abingdon, MD, Mariann Coughlin Stackpole died at the age of eighty-three at Gilchrest Center in Towson, MD, following a lengthy battle with advanced dementia and chronic pain. She was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Donald Coughlin and Gertrude Lyons Coughlin.

Mariann earned bachelors and masters degrees at Boston University. She completed additional studies at SUNY Stony Brook and the University of Charlotte. She taught young children for over thirty years, most recently for eighteen years in the Prince Georges County (MD) schools. Among her strengths was the ability to create positive learning experiences for deprived children. She served as a training teacher for adult students from the University of Maryland.

Mariann was an accomplished singer who performed with a number of choral groups and was a soloist at several Washington area churches. Her commitment to those in need was in evidence throughout her life. While in Easton, as an example, she initiated a winter clothing drive, collecting over 2,500 items over three years. She created Mariann's Oven, with proceeds from the sale of her baked goods donated to those in need. She organized and coordinated Thanksgiving dinners for the hungry.

She leaves her husband of sixty years, Dr. Terrell Stackpole, sons Brendan and Peter (Kimberly) Stackpole, granddaughter Emmelina Stackpole, sisters-in-law Sydney Dowd and Margaret Stackpole, as well as five nieces and nephews and a close cousin, Rachel Branch. She was preceded in death by a brother James (Clara) Coughlin and brother-in-law Dr. Christopher Stackpole. Mariann donated her remains for medical research.

A Memorial Mass will take place at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 8603 Contee Road, Laurel, MD, on Monday, December 30, at 11 a.m. Contact deaconts@msn.com for additional information.