Obituary of Agnes F. McCann

Agnes Frances McCann (nee Pinkas) of Hackensack passed away Friday, May 3, 2024 at the age of 102. Born in Baltimore, MD on February 24, 1922; Agnes was the 5th of 10 children born to Czech immigrants Matthew and Frances Pinkas. In June of 1922, the family moved to a farm on the outskirts of Baltimore where Agnes and her family were able to survive the Great Depression due to her father's success as a farmer. She graduated from Seton High School in Baltimore and St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Towson, MD. In April 1944, Agnes began her military service at the US Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA., followed by the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland and the Naval Dispensary in Miami, Florida. In July of 1946, while working at the US Naval Hospital in Key West, Florida she met her future husband, Richard McCann. They were married in Key West, at St. Mary Star-of-the-Sea Catholic Church, on December 12, 1946. Following the war, in 1947 , Agnes and Richard moved to lowa City, where he completed his MBA from the University of lowa. In 1948, they welcomed twins Cynthia and Richard Marcus. Sadly, Marc passed away 3 days after his birth. Dick's career took them to South Bend, Indiana in 1949 and in 1950, they settled in Hackensack, welcoming Linda, Maureen and Rick.

Agnes was happiest spending time with her family and friends. Agnes and Richard enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. Some of her most favorite memories were family vacations in the 6Os to Emerald Isle, NC, Lake Placid, NY and Williamsburg, VA. Above all, family and faith were central to her life. She happily hosted family celebrations and holiday gatherings with perfectly crafted meals and desserts. She took great pride in her Czech heritage and looked forward to the annual Pinkas family reunions in Maryland and Pennsylvania, for which she would bake houska and kolachky. Agnes was a loyal friend and compassionate caregiver, providing comfort and support to family and friends. She was a parishioner of Holy TrinityR.C. Church, Hackensack and a member of the local Columbiettes and various naval organizations.

Agnes will be missed beyond measure by her surviving family including her daughters Linda McCann and Maureen McCann and son, Richard D. McCann Il (Claudette). Cherished grandmother to Staci Simonton (David), Jason Kaye (Nora), Kristen Dodson (Walt), Elena McCann (Nicholas). Loving great-grandmother to William, Andrew, Lucas, Nicholas, Jacob, Victoria, Olivia, Dean, Nicholas, Agnes and Benjamin, and great-great-grandmother to Jack and Rae. Agnes is also survived by her loving sister Frances Hergenhahn of Baltimore, MD, sister-in-law Joanne Pinkas of Littlestown, PA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her beloved parents Matthew and Frances Pinkas (Havlik), her husband of 48 years Richard D. McCann, Captain RET, US Navy, (1995), daughter Cynthia (1995), son Richard Marcus (1948). Also preceded by sisters Theresa Klima (Joseph), Marie Gidlewski (Aloysius), and Julia Biggerman (Pete), and brothers James (Mary), Paul (Mary), Matthew and John (Betty).

Agnes has left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Agnes McCann to the USO or Special Olympics New Jersey

LINK FOR USO

LINK FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 11, at 2:30 PM at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, 34 Maple Avenue, Hackensack. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 10th from 4PM - 8PM and Saturday, May 11th from 12PM - 2PM for visitation at theG. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack. To send condolences, directions, or for further information visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com