MaryEllen's mother, Ellen Rae Black (nee Hemming) moved to Vancouver, B.C. just prior to MaryEllen being born.  Her father, Edward Kocsik left New York and joined his new family shortly after her birth. Her brother, Daniel Kocsik, was born a few years later.  In 1948 MaryEllen moved to San Francisco and was joined soon afterward by her brother.  She had learned to ski on the slopes in Vancouver and joined the Alpineer Ski Club to continue the sport she loved and meet new friends.

She married Warren Steinkamp and they lived in South San Francisco for many years raising their family.  She began her work career at the So. San Francisco Public Library and eventually became manager of the So. San Francisco School Personnel Credit Union, from which she retired in 1983.

Following divorce, she married Stanley Haney in 1969, lived in Millbrae for 23 years, and then moved to Belmont.  Stan passed away in 2003.

MaryEllen and Stan were avid golfers and members of the Crystal Springs Golf Club for many years.  They enjoyed traveling in their RV throughout the US, frequently planning their route based on golf courses they wanted to play.  Sailing on San Francisco Bay was also another favorite activity for many years.  They managed to travel to many foreign destinations throughout their nearly 35 years of marriage and had many photo albums commemorating all those adventures.

MaryEllen always had a beautiful garden that could be enjoyed from a relaxing patio, wherever she lived.  She loved sewing and making clothes for herself and her family.  Knitting was also a passion.  She used to tell us stories about how she knit socks for the armed forces in Canada during the war and we can remember the clicking of her knitting needles during movies and in front of the TV.  She really enjoyed opening the newspaper in the morning and going right to the crossword puzzle, which she finished up by the end of the day.

The love of MaryEllen's life was her dog and constant companion, Molly, who we fondly refer to as MollyEllen.  Rather than just choosing one puppy, MaryEllen also chose a litter mate, Jasper, who she gifted to her grand-daughter, Shelby Haney..  

MaryEllen is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Kathy Steinkamp and Carlos Aviles, Ellen and Mark Kaufmann, and Virginia Singer; step-son and wife, Mark and Terry Haney, and step-daughter Gina Haney.  Grandsons and their wives are, Neil Kaufmann, Marco Singer, Nick and Regina Singer, and granddaughter Shelby Haney.  Great-grandchildren are Gavin Singer, Tessa Singer, Dylan Singer and Emelia Singer.

She loved her family, as a mom or as a grandma or as a great grandma.