Mary Ann Gravish Cushing

Mary Ann (Gravish) Cushing, age 83, of Vienna, VA died on Dec. 26, 2023 after a long fight with
congestive heart failure and interstitial lung disease.

Born in New Castle Township, PA on July 27, 1940 and raised in St. Clair, PA, Mary Ann graduated from Nativity BVM High School in 1958 and moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing. While studying at Jefferson, she met her future husband and U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman, John Cushing. After her graduation from Jefferson in 1961, Mary Ann started her career as a Registered Nurse in Nazareth, PA. In 1964, Mary Ann and John wed in St. Clair and began their life together. The life of a naval officer led the couple around the country as their family grew. Eventually, the young family settled in Vienna, VA where Mary Ann raised her family, continued her nursing career, and celebrated many of life’s milestones with John, her children, her children’s families, her extended family, and her friends.

Ever the nurse and mother, Mary Ann was quick to comfort you, mend your skinned knee, or call you out when you did something ‘stupid’ and did all of that with love. She was a great cook and baker and helped her family experience new tastes (sometimes reluctantly by her children). As an “empty nester,” Mary Ann and John had more time to travel and see some of the world.

Over the last several years as her condition deteriorated, Mary Ann became more tired and less mobile, but she still wanted to get up and get things done. Even after entering home hospice care in Sept. and being cared for by John, she still wanted to “…go get something good to eat…” She passed away peacefully in the early morning.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, John; her children Cynthia (Alan) Morgan; John (Diane) Cushing Jr. and their children, John III and Katherine; and Christopher (Kristin) Cushing and their children, Aaron and Adam; other extended family and close friends; and her beloved dog Lilly. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents Martin and Bertha Gravish and her brothers Edward and Martin Gravish.

Mary Ann will be missed but never forgotten. May our Lord welcome her into his arms.

Memorial service at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, Va., on Friday, March 8th at 11:00 AM.