Mary Campbell

Mary Campbell
November 14, 1932 ~ April 6, 2015

Voorhees, NJ: April 6, 2015. Mary Ann is predeceased by her husband, Donald W. Campbell. She is survived by her son, William D. (Fiance Anh Le) Campbell; grandsons, Ian and Alec Campbell; brother, Robert Cossaboon; several nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann's visitation will be Monday, 3-6 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (between 390 Long Pond Rd.) Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9:30 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church of Greece, 2400 W. Ridge Rd. Interment on Wednesday in Lakeside Memorial Park, Hamburg, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a charity of one's choice.
Mary Ann was born on November 14, 1932 in Bolivar, NY. She attended Bolivar High School, received her bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany (formerly New York State College for Teachers) and master's degree from Alfred University. After college, Mary moved to Rochester, New York.
Early in career, she worked as a math teacher then returned to school to study counseling. Mary worked for over 25 years, at East Ridge High School, in East Irondequoit, NY where she started as a school guidance counselor and retired as Director of Counseling. Mary loved working with kids and her teacher buddies became lifelong friends and an extended family to her only child, Bill.
Mary helped thousands of young men and women during her many years of teaching and she was awarded the Greater Rochester Counselor of the Year.
Over the years, Mary's son, Bill has been fortunate to meet several of Mary's former students and their parents. Every one of them shared their appreciation and the positive impact "Mrs. Campbell" had on their lives.
By chance one Christmas evening, Bill met his college friend's two brother-in-laws. They said, "Our entire family loves your mom. She truly saved our lives. If it wasn't for her we would have ended up in jail or worse!" They insisted that he stay until their parents arrived so that they could meet them.
After returning home that evening, her son told Mary about the encounter. Bill asked her if she knew what had become of her two former students. Mary said, "Of course, I do Bill...one is a lawyer and the other a doctor." Bill told her how proud of her he was and typical of Mary she said "the boys and their family are the heroes honey." Bill asked if he really thought of herself as just a catalyst. She grinned and said "Any day I help save the @ss of my students is a good day."
Mary met her beloved husband, Donald Campbell while living in Rochester in the 60's. They were married, at St. John the Evangelist Church, on August 22, 1964. Don was a Buffalo native, decorated World War II Naval Corpsman, loving husband and father. Their marriage was cut tragically short by Don's passing in 1968.
Her son asked Mary once why she never remarried, she told him "your dad was my one true love and I never met a man that can hold a candle to him." Mary's son told his mom that was sad that she was lonely for so many years and she responded, "I know your dad and I will be together again someday, if you are happy, then I'm not lonely. I am here to enjoy all my boys".
Mary was blessed with two grandsons, Ian and Alec Campbell. In 2001, she left Greece and moved five minutes away from "her boys" in southern New Jersey. Her son and grandsons have inherited Grammy's sharp wit and incredible sense of humor.
Mary Ann (Cossaboon) Campbell was known by many names: Coss, Sis, Aunt Mary Ann, Boomie, Gram, Grammy, Mar, Mary and Mom. By all she be remembered as loving, warm, compassionate woman and dedicated mother. Her sense of humor and comedic timely was priceless.
She touched countless lives in her 82 years. We are heartbroken to lose our dear Mary but grateful she is no longer suffering and finally back in the arms of the love of her life, Don