Mary Lee Poirier, née Mikash, succumbed to cancer on Sunday morning, May 18th, 2025. She left this world peacefully, from the comfort of her own home, while surrounded by the love of her husband and three children.

She lived by the Beatitudes for 71 years, was filled with compassion for others, and spent much of her time tending to the needs of the less fortunate. If she wasn’t delivering food around Hampton Roads through Meals on Wheels or stocking the food pantry at St. Nicholas Church, she was feeding the birds or collecting newspaper clippings of dogs in need of adoption. She absolutely loved making 5-star meals for her family, practicing yoga at the beach, and slurping hot chocolate with a spoon. She never passed up a deal and was downright giddy when she got to use a double coupon. Her refrigerator, pantry, and medicine cabinets were always stocked, and nobody around her was ever in need of a thing. She was fiercely protective of the vulnerable and had no tolerance for exploitation or for politicians who prioritized the wealthy at the expense of the poor. But perhaps nothing tested her resolve more than her cancer diagnosis in April of 2022. Despite a poor prognosis, she never complained, slowed down, or turned inward. She soldiered on—taking care of everyone around her right to the end. She was an absolutely selfless soul and tender heart in every single way.

Her courage and tenacity (and her homemade tiramisu) will be forever missed by those she leaves behind, including her husband of nearly 50 years, Peter Poirier, her children, Michael Poirier (Victoria), Katie Kleczkowski (Brian), and Hillary Garofalo (JJ), and her six beloved granddaughters, who know her as “Mimi”: Hana, Alison, and Georgia Kleczkowski, and Juliana, Siena, and Mila Garofalo. She is also survived by her sisters, Cheryl Keller and Cookie Squire, her brother, Nicholas Mikash, and many wonderful cousins, nieces, and nephews. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Nicholas  Catholic Church on Little Neck Road on Saturday, June 7 at 11:00 AM. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the St. Nicholas Church food pantry.

Visit www.vacremationsociety.com to leave fond memories or words of condolence to her family.