Mary Ann DeJesus

Mary Ann (Martinez) DeJesus, 75, of Dunkirk passed away peacefully on September 12th, 2025 at home, with loved ones by her side.

Born August 19, 1950, in Arecibo, PR, Mary Ann resided in Dunkirk since the age of one. She was the wife of Carlos "Charlie" DeJesus and daughter of the late Francisco Sr and Emilia (Perez) Martinez.

Mary Ann attended Dunkirk public schools and earned her associate degree from Jamestown Community College. She dedicated her life serving the community in various capacities: Social Worker, Chautauqua Co. Department of Social Services, Paralegal at Legal Aide and teacher’s aide at Dunkirk Senior High School, where she held two special students, Peter Guy and the late Johnny Torres, in her heart until her passing.

Surviving are her sons Charles "Jimmy" DeJesus of Fredonia and Bruce DeJesus of Jamestown, also her grandson, whom she raised and called her son, Charles James "Jimmy" (Chrystal Rivera) DeJesus II of Fredonia. Grandchildren: Damian Buchanan of South Carolina, China and Cam’Ron DeJesus of Dunkirk, Roshawn and Romeo DeJesus of Pennsylvania, Christian DeJesus of Florida, Erick and Ciara DeJesus of Georgia, Nicholas DeJesus of South Carolina and Jeremiah DeJesus of Jamestown, also 11 great grandchildren.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her siblings: Carmen (Robert) Williams of Pennsylvania, Wilfredo Martinez of Florida, Raymond (Margarita) Martinez of Fredonia, Manuel Martinez of Jamestown, Willis (Robin) Martinez of Dunkirk, Maria and Amy (Evon) Martinez of Georgia and Paul (Nancy) Martinez of Florida. Also, countless nephews and nieces, with two special nieces: Bernadette Gavin and Amy Martinez (the other Amy). Additionally, she leaves behind her lifelong friend Helen Echevarria-Pierce of Dunkirk.

Mary Ann’s greatest joy was her music, especially The Beatles, watching Lifetime Movie Network (LMN) from the time she woke up, with a hot cup of tea, until she went to bed, driving her mustang, making her special meatballs and cherished her hundreds of coloring books and every Crayola crayon and colored pencil ever created, that she didn’t use because she didn’t want to ruin them.

Besides her parents, Mary Ann was preceded in death by brothers Francisco Jr. and Robert, nephews Billy Evans, Jr. and Sonny James Martinez, niece Beverly Cain and Melissa Buchanan, her “Sweet Missy.”

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend Calling Hours on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home; 736 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 328 Washington Ave, Dunkirk, NY. Interment will be held at St Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan, NY.