Marie Ann Nofsinger
April 27, 1956 - Dec. 14, 2025

By: Valerie “Wisecracker” Caracappa  |  Photo: Jay Skolnick

Marie was born in Massachusetts, but when she moved to our state in 1981, she became Florida and Florida became her.

Singer, guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire, she gave us deeply moving songs of love and loss. Compassionate songs of comfort and strength. Witty songs full of controversy. And of course, so many songs about her adopted state of Florida.

She could be crazy funny or deadly serious, almost all at the same time, all the while letting you know that you were not alone.

Proud member of the notorious Florida Folk Outlaws, Marie was small in stature, but with a stunning presence and honey smoked voice that you couldn’t help but love.

She wielded her dreadnaught Gibson J 200 guitar, which was almost as big as her, like a sword, cutting to the heart of the matter, like she was singing just for you.

She was known for her trademark cowgirl hat that she wore tucked down tight on top of her wild curly mane of blond hair. And then of course, there were her fancy boots. “Boots” was the title of one of her albums. Another was “The Wildlife Rides Again.” Marie was also often a featured guest on a slew of other artists’ recordings.

She performed everywhere from B.B. King’s Blues Club in New York City to the very depths of Florida, gracing festivals, watering holes, stages, environmental gatherings and nonprofit benefits with her talents.

After moving from Delray Beach FL., where she had worked at The Amp Shop & Music Parlor for several years, Marie spent her next 10 years in Naples FL.

She loved her little house that she shared with her older rescue kitty, Grace.

In between gigs, she worked as a medical coder and more recently part time at the Naples Botanical Gardens. The beach was her sanctuary.

She spent the last six months of her life in her own home with hospice care. In that time, she was also graciously tended to by fellow Naples musician Tim Mcgeary, his daughter Tiffany and his wife Carol.

Marie, cheerful till the end, was never in pain and she passed from this world with friends and loved ones around her.

True to her outlaw roots, let’s not say she’s gone, not really. Let’s just say one of her favorite phrases: she’s just “Runnin’ from the Law.”

Rest in peace, sweet Marie.