Marie Treacy

Marie Treacy was born on December 11, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York to Gaspar and Fay Schifano. She graduated from East Meadow High School and attended Suffolk Community College.  Marie met James Treacy at a barn in Oyster Bay where they both stabled their horses, Casey and Gail.  They were immediately drawn to one another over their love for animals.

James and Marie married in a civil ceremony on May 10, 1981 and a religious ceremony soon followed at the Byzantine Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Smithtown.  The happy couple became proud parents of their son Jimmy, and then of their daughter Jeanine.

A long, active, and rewarding career in the breeding, training, and showing of dogs began for Marie in the early 1970’s.  Marie’s Standard Poodle ‘Sheeba' won the first title earned by her loving owner in the AKC Obedience Dog competition in 1973.  Marie went on to breeding the Bichon Frisee and made Kathie Lee Johnson (Gifford) a very happy dog mom with ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Chablis’ who became famous household names on “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee”.  To the delight of children across America, Marie brought her dogs to the TV show “Captain Kangaroo”.

Marie and her husband were active members of the parish of the Byzantine Catholic Church of the Resurrection, where they enjoyed cooking with fellow parishioners for the Byzantine Festival, particularly with the Gorecki family in preparation of the very popular, delectable potato pancakes and other ethnic delicacies. Marie served as president of the Ladies’ Guild and the children danced for many years in the parish’s Ukrainian Folk Dance Group.  In the greater Suffolk community, Marie and her children, avid and dedicated musicians, were members of the Blue Jays Drum and Bugle Corp., participating in many programs and parades in countless communities over the years.

Mini Australian Shepherds, and then, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, were the next breeds that captured Marie’s heart and she bred, trained, showed, and competed with her remarkable dogs winning many titles and championships. Professionally, she ran a pet grooming and boarding business.

In service to her community and fostered by her love of animals, Marie, together with Kizzy, Mr. Please, Vanna, Lacey, Misty, and Elke (Mini Aussies, Miniature Poodle, and Cavaliers) trained together to certify the dogs as Therapy Dogs.  Marie brought them to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals to bring comfort and love to countless people in need of solace and understanding.  She was especially dedicated to the Library Reading Program and the BOCES Special Needs Program.

Marie’s daughter-in-law, Thelma, and her grandsons, Charles and Anthony, were truly the great loves of her life.  They brought joy and purpose to each and every day and their home was always filled with love and laughter through life’s many ups and downs.  Everyone who knew and loved Marie will never forget her for her sense of humor, her fierce loyalty, and her tremendous love for her family and friends and all of God’s creatures. 

Marie is survived by her daughter-in-law Thelma Aranza, her grandsons Charles and Anthony, her brother Salvatore Schifano, her nieces and nephews, her beloved pets Mr. Please and Kizzy, and by the countless people who loved and respected her. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the ACKCS Charitable Trust - American Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel Club, Inc. in memory of Marie Treacy (ACKCSC.org)

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