Mary M. Comins

Mary Comins passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2022. She was 91 years young.

On November 21, 1930, Mary Madelia Hansen was born in Nashville, Tennessee to parents Arthur A. Hansen and Lillian Atwood Hansen. She attended high school in West Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Syracuse University in 1953 with degrees in English Literature and Theater Arts.

After graduating, Mary joined a professional acapella singing trio called The Charmonizers.  They performed throughout the US and Canada. She eventually settled in New York City, married Leonard Fassler in 1955 and together they had three daughters. In 1965, the family moved to the “countryside” of northern New Jersey. Mary wed her second husband, Harold Comins in 1975, who preceded her in death in 1981.

Mary’s love of music and theater kept her busy for the rest of her years. She was a life-long member of the American Recorder Society of Bergen County, NJ with a stint as chapter president. She was a member of Quinto Consort, a performing quintet of baroque musicians. She was an active member of the Bergen County Players theater group, with activities including acting, singing, and at times directing.

Mary had been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Ridgewood, New Jersey in the 1970’s where she also called English Country dancing on Fridays. Later in life she became a long time member of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County as she was passionate about humanitarian causes.

Mary’s biggest love in the last 25 years of her life was singing and performing with the Teaneck Community Chorus. This is what gave her life fulfillment. In between her Sunday chorus rehearsals, she would keep music alive by teaching young piano students in her home. Mary resided in Hackensack, NJ for the last 36 years.

Mary is survived by her three daughters, Diane Fassler Chasmar (David), Karen Benton, and Tracy Fassler, stepson David Comins, as well as three grandsons, Lyman Benton (Olivia), Ryan Chasmar (Cecily), and Reed Chasmar (Zhawen). She was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Hansen.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for a donation to Mary’s absolute favorite group of people: Teaneck Community Chorus https://teaneckcommunitychorus.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary M. Comins, please visit our floral store.