Marie Muccie Genaro was born on May 1, 1921 in Trenton, New Jersey. She was the second oldest of 11 children. She and her sister were great aviation buffs. In the 1930's they formed the Earhart-Noonan Club and built big gas engine model airplanes, but their real dream was to learn how to fly, "an unusual interest for women in those days," said Marie.

Unlike her sister who never learned to fly, Marie worked at a local airport in exchange for flying lessons. "I'd crank up the engines, do whatever odd jobs needed doing and was the first woman to take lessons at Mercer Airport." A t age 19 Marie had a private license. When World War II broke out, Marie had accumulated over 300 hours of flying time. But, standing barely five feet two, Marie was an inch too short to be eligible for the Air Transport Auxiliary, where women pilots ferried fighters out of England. When Marie heard about Jacquliene Cochran's fledgling WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots WWII), she applied, was accepted and spent the next two years flying planes all over the country. This elite group of women were organized to free the male pilots for overseas duties. They broke in new planes, ferried combat-weary crafts to American airfields, and towed target sleeves for practicing gunners. They taught male cadets how to strafe, drop bombs, lay smoke blankets and track enemy aircraft. From 1942 to 1944, Marie ferried many of the aircraft the Airforce used during World War II and had many heroic experiences. She eventually got used to comments such as, "you must be the nurse, but where's the pilot?" as she stepped out of a huge bomber.

Marie met her husband in the cockpit of a B-25 while serving as his co-pilot. They married, moved to Dallas, Texas and raised their family of three daughters and one son. Marie also has a grandson and granddaughter. As it turned out, none of their children were interested in aviation.

Marie currently spends her time doing creative things. She designs and makes her own clothes as well as works with beads, designing and making jewelry for gifts. She believes in good daily nutrition and exercises to keep fit and healthy. And for excitement, she says, "I call myself a long-term day trader in the stock market." Only she doesn't trade stocks, she trades options on stocks and indexes, which means she makes money when the market goes up or down. In only two weeks Marie made over 400% on her money. Most of her trades make her 100% within a week or so. Marie said, "Since the market has been going down, I am really making money. I just love it!!!"