Maryann Maxwell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Maryann Maxwell, nee Sucharski of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026 at the age of 83.

Growing up, Maryann was proud of her Polish heritage and was a member of the Warsaw Polish Dance Club, a cultural organization which allowed her to celebrate and share her Polish heritage through Polish Folk Song and Dance. She graduated from Immaculata University and worked for many years as a chemist for the Department of Agriculture where she met her husband, Robert Maxwell. Over the years Robert and Maryann lived in Southampton, Glenside and Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, with Maryann eventually moving to the Philadelphia Protestant Home in Northeast Philadelphia.

Maryann enjoyed traveling, visiting Italy and many other cities and countries throughout the world, collecting books, artwork and memories along the way. She had an entrepreneurial spirit, and through her love of gardening and plants she opened her own retail plant store near Frankford Avenue and Orthodox Street in Philadelphia, where she shared her knowledge with her customers as well as her godchildren, who always enjoyed visiting her at the shop.

She took her role as Godmother very seriously and doted on her godchildren, and in turn, on their children and families as if they were her own. She loved, adored and was fiercely proud of all of them and their accomplishments. Maryann enjoyed meeting up with friends for lunches, dinners, special events and occasions, and her busy social life allowed her to be surrounded by people who became like family to her. Later in life, she crossed paths with Phil Washington who she befriended, took “under her wing” and as their friendship grew, she welcomed him like family, becoming a mentor and important guiding, parental like light in his life.

Maryann is, and was a strong willed, intelligent, loving, kind, caring, independent woman who never hesitated to speak her mind and in many areas of her life, was “ahead of her time”. She made friends easily, and welcomed anyone into her life without judgment, always offering guidance, love, support or even just a place to make you feel like you belonged. She reminded people to take one day at a time, and that they, and their opinions mattered. If she loved you, you were family, and for all of us that are now connected because of Maryann, we will be forever grateful for that. Although she has left this physical life, Maryann will never be truly gone. Her spirit and wisdom will live on in the hearts of all the lives she touched, and in the countless memories we made and shared together.

Maryann was preceded in death by her loving husband of 38 years, Robert Maxwell, her parents, August and Katherine Sucharski and her brother, Anthony Sucharski. She is survived by her three loving godchildren, Lynne Davis, Brian Harkins and Christina Benham, her friend and loving cousin, Loretta Sucharski and her dear friend, Phil Washington, as well as many, many other individuals she held close to her heart and considered like family.

Friends, family and those who wish to pay their respects, are invited to her memorial service and burial on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania, 18940; it is requested you arrive no later than 12:45 p.m. as the service will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maryann’s name to the Philadelphia Protestant Home Benevolent Care Fund would be appreciated.