Maria Eleni Bochinis, 47, a resident of Pensacola, FL, since 2021, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026 at Mount Sinai Morningside Medical Center.

Born in Manhattan on October 16, 1978, she was the daughter of Nikidora (Chiotelis) Bochinis and the late James Bochinis. Maria spent her early childhood in Elmhurst, Queens, and then moved with her family to Hopewell Junction, where she was raised before relocating to Florida. She graduated from Arlington High School, where she was in the marching band and on the crew team. She went on to study Business Management at SUNY New Paltz, where she obtained a bachelor's degree.

Maria was a humble servant of God and a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Pensacola. While she was in New York, she belonged to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Danbury, Connecticut. She also belonged to the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club and the Pensacola Swing Dance Society. She loved the beach, dancing, and running. She also enjoyed skiing, roller skating, swimming, yoga, and her favorite beach was Egremni Beach in Lefkada, Greece. She played the piano, flute, and violin. Her passion was "West Coast Swing," and she was blessed to meet her boyfriend, Shawn Morrison, at one of their dances. An avid animal lover, she adopted several dogs during her lifetime. Not only did she love and care for all animals, but she also always tried to help people in need.

Maria was a person who always forgave people quickly. She had a way of making friends with everyone. Anywhere she went, she would compliment someone's shoes or watch and next they were friends for life.

She was very strong, both physically and mentally. There was no talking her out of something if she put her mind to it. She never wanted sympathy from anyone. She was also very smart and could navigate anywhere after only being there once.

Maria loved live music and dancing. She was a natural dancer and was a bright spot in the Pensacola swing dance community, dancing when she could and watching videos of dancing and cheering for her friends when she couldn't.

She loved Greece and New York, and enjoyed playing tour guide to share her favorite places with friends who got to experience the places she loved so much.

She loved people and animals. As soon as she met anyone, she'd immediately try to find a way to put a smile on their face. Her many pets were all rescues, and she loved to feed and pet stray cats when she could.

Maria had a beautiful and unique style. From clothing to home renovations, she always knew how to make a person or a place beautiful and unique. She was an amazing project manager both at work and in her personal life, and could always get things done. Tremendously organized and proactive, always making sure every project she set her hand to would be done quickly and well.

Maria is survived by her mother, Nikidora Bochinis, her brother, Dimitris Bochinis; her half-sister, Lauren Rodriguez; her cousins, Eleni Chiotelis, John Bochinis, and Eve Bochinis; and her uncle, Nicholas Chiotelis. In addition to her father James, she was also predeceased by her uncle, John Bochinis; and her aunts, Sophia Chiotelis and Katie Chiotelis, with whom she shared a very special bond.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 8, from 6-8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. There will be a Funeral Service at 7 pm.

On Monday, January 12 at 10am there will be a Funeral Service at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 1720 W. Garden St. Pensacola, Florida. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Pensacola, FL.

Memorial donations may be made in Maria's name to the ASPCA.

A very special message from Shawn:

My heart is broken.

Maria, the most wonderful woman I've ever met, passed Sunday night due to complications from metastatic breast cancer. Her mother, brother, and I were able to be there with her and hold her hand as she passed.

She has been fighting cancer off and on since 2019. She wanted to keep it private so that no one would have to worry about her - and so that she could enjoy her interactions with friends for who they were, rather than having conversations derailed to focus on her health.

Her kindness was what most attracted me to her. She made friends everywhere she went. All of her (many) pets were rescues. Any bug that strayed into her house would find itself tossed outside rather than smashed. Any viable piece of a plant that she cut would end up in a glass of water, soaking in sun and putting out roots on her balcony. The beach was her happy place and the sun a lifelong companion.

The dance community was a great blessing for her. She loved our art, relished in turning music into movement, enjoyed watching videos of it when she wasn't doing it, and made many friends in the community - including me, when I asked her on our first date just over a year and a half ago.

She and I traveled the world together, visiting Greece, taking several trips to New York, and attending dance events in places like Boston and Atlanta.

She was an amazing tour guide, translator, driver, road trip DJ, chef, movie buddy, and girlfriend. She was the best thing that has ever happened to me.

-Shawn Morrison