Marie Paula Blaine (nee Sacirovic) 94 of Glen Cove, NY, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, at Glengariff Nursing Home. Marie was born December 18, 1931, in Belgrade what was then the capital of Yugoslavia. As a young girl she watched her house destroyed by the Germans when they invaded in 1941, then watched the communists take over the country when the war ended.

Her dream was to become a doctor, but while in medical school she discovered she couldn't handle the sight of blood, so she changed her studies to microbiology and became a microbiologist instead. Not liking life under communism, she made a break for the West when she and others from her lab went to West Germany to attend a seminar. Eventually she made her way to the US and settled in Glen Cove. She found work as a microbiologist at Nassau Hospital in Mineola, which became Winthrop University, and stayed there for over 30 years before retiring and becoming a volunteer there that lasted until COVID. She remained active with the Glen Cove Senior Center until April 2024 when she became sick and was brought to Glen Cove Hospital and thereafter transferred to Glengariff where she remained until her passing.

Marie was an avid traveler and was always looking for the next adventure. She was active in yoga and tai chi up till her illness brought her to the hospital.

Marie is survived by her son, Alexander Blaine of Charlotte, NC and his partner Kelly Anne Miller as well as Cecilia and Paul Ketteridge of Bellingham, WA and Misha and Nena Radulovic of Manhasset, NY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Blaine.

Visitation will be at McLaughlin Kramer Megiel Funeral Home, 220 Glen Street, Glen Cove on Monday, July 20th from 3-5 and 7-9PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Boniface Martyr Church, Sea Cliff at 10AM on Tuesday, July 21st followed by interment in East Hillside Cemetery.