Mary Carolyn Fokes Maurin, 86, passed away at Tabitha Nursing Center in Crete, NE, on December 25, 2019. She was born December 30, 1932, in Jackson, MS, and was raised in Hattiesburg, MS, along with her sister Noele Ann (Cain), by their adoptive parents, the late William Cruz and Alma Kramer Fokes. She attended Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, where she met the late Albert Leopold Maurin. As Albert would say, they "met in a revolving door and started going around together." They were married January 18, 1958. Mary spent her life caring for children. She taught school at the elementary, high school, and college levels. In her free time, she enjoyed scrapbooking and genealogy research. A devout Catholic, Mary's life was defined by her faith. She was a member of Nebraska Right to Life and participated in the prison ministry, writing letters to prisoners. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Therese of Lisieux, often asking for their intercession. One of Mary's proudest accomplishments was being reunited with her birth mother, the late Annie Mary Ford Breland, and her sisters Mary Louise Breland and Charlene Breland Allshouse. After the death of her husband, Mary relocated to Crete, NE, to live with her youngest daughter and help her care for her children. Having a fondness for wide open spaces and an affinity for books about pioneer life, especially A Lantern in Her hand, Mary considered Nebraska her home for the past 19 years. Mary had many friends and was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was beloved by all who were privileged to know her and will be dearly missed by her loved ones. Mary is survived by her children William Joseph Maurin (Amy), Mary Carolyn Maurin Lovecchio (Salvatore), Ann Noelle Maurin Kubes (James), and Valerie Marie Maurin Andelt (Darrell); grandchildren Kristie Lee Cangelosi Goyer (Brian), Kristian Lee Cangelosi (Brittany), Jessica Eileen Maurin Thompson (Ian), Blaine Joseph Maurin, Angelina Marie Lovecchio, Emerson Elizabeth Andelt, Hannah Noelle Kubes, Julia Alyce Kubes, Michaela Carolyn Kubes, Celeste Leah Lovecchio, Christina Rose Lovecchio, Camille Alexa Andelt, and Colette Marie Andelt; and great grandchildren Isabella Marie Goyer, Gianna Monet Goyer, Micah Aiden Foster, Vivian Ember Foster and Declan James Thompson. Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, 10:00 AM, Sacred Heart Church, Crete. Visitation: Sunday, 5 – 7 PM, Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete. Rosary: Sunday, 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials are in care of the family for future designation.  Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is handling arrangements.