Mariane Renee Ricci Kara
East Millsboro
Mariane Renee Ricci Kara, 65, of East Millsboro, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of the family that meant more to her than anything in this world.
Mariane was born October 9, 1960, in Waynesburg, to the late Albert Ricci and Helen Carolis Ricci.
Mariane shared 44 years of marriage with her husband, Mark Kara. Together, they built a life centered around family, laughter, love, and simply being there for the people who needed them.
She leaves behind her husband, Mark; her daughter, Megan Kara (Boriss) of Vestaburg; her son, Anthony Kara (Kari) of New Salem; her brother, Albert Ricci (Lois) of Jefferson; her sister, Donna Fullem of Fredericktown; along with her brothers-in-law, Charles Headley of Brownsville and Joseph Fleming of Fredericktown; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Mariane also leaves behind three very loved grandpups, Sasha, Axis and Ghost, who brought tremendous happiness to her and held a very special place in her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters and best friends, Ruthann Headley and Diana Fleming; her sister-in-law, Mary Lily; her brother-in-law, Thomas Fullem; and her beloved fur children, Thor and Shadow.
For more than 40 years, Mariane devoted her life to nursing. Caring for others was more than her profession-it was part of who she was. She gave her heart, her energy, and herself to the people entrusted to her care. Of the many roles Mariane held throughout her career, she was particularly proud of her time as a hospice nurse, where she cared for patients and their families during some of life’s most difficult moments with equal measures of clinical skill, compassion, dignity and love.
That same love defined her life outside of nursing.
Mariane was happiest surrounded by family. When she was well, weekends were meant for visiting the people she loved. She was almost always smiling, laughing, helping someone, or finding a reason to make the people around her happy. She was generous with her time and with herself, and if someone needed help, Mariane was the kind of person who simply showed up.
The holidays were among her favorite times of the year. Her family and friends could count on a kitchen filled with the smell of cookies and pies, many of which she baked not for herself, but to give away. It was one of the countless ways Mariane expressed love: she made something, packed it up, and made sure someone she cared about had a little more joy in their day.
Above everything else, Mariane loved people. She loved her husband, her children, her siblings, her nieces and nephews, her animals, her patients, her friends, and seemingly just about everyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Family was the center of her world, but her capacity to make others feel cared for extended far beyond it.
Her life cannot be measured simply in years, but in the people she cared for, the family she cherished, the patients she comforted, the laughter she shared, the holidays she made special, and the love she gave so freely.
And that is perhaps the most fitting way to remember Mariane: she spent her life making people feel cared for.
Family and friends will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, PA 15417, Thursday, September 24, from 2 until 8 p.m., and Friday, September 25, from 9 until the Prayer Service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in The Historic Church of St. Peter, Brownsville, at 10 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Fr. Anthony Onoko. Interment in Lafayette Memorial Park. Flowers are welcome in remembrance of Mariane.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.skirpanfuneralhome.com