After a full and satisfying life, Mary Jane W. Johnson passed away peacefully on October 25, 2022, at the age of 90, in Hockessin, DE, due to Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Detroit, MI, to a loving family, she enjoyed being big sister to identical-twin brothers. She was also privileged to have the opportunity to explore interests in music and theater, and the beginnings of her lifelong love of reading were cultivated.
A self-described “English major,” Mary Jane received a BA in Communication from Michigan State in 1954. Following graduation, she and three Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters moved to Long Beach, CA, where they shared an apartment and Mary Jane taught English and math.
In January 1955, Mary Jane met a young navy officer, and on August 6 of that year married Bob Johnson, who would be her husband and best friend for the next 58 years. They left Long Beach for Iowa City, IA, where Mary Jane taught school, and Bob began graduate studies in physics. After two years they moved again and until 1962 lived in Palo Alto, CA, while Bob earned his PhD. It was there that Mary Jane gave birth to two sons and a daughter. The growing family then moved to Wilmington, DE, where Bob began his career with DuPont, and another son arrived.
In addition to raising four children, Mary Jane was involved for many years in several community activities, including being an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, school PTAs, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She served as the AAUW Wilmington chapter’s president during 1993–95 and helped establish a relationship between the chapter and the Zambia Association of University Women.
After her children had finished high school, Mary Jane returned to the paid work force, and eventually enjoyed 20 years on the staff at the Hagley Museum and Library, where, often in period costume, she guided thousands of visitors through the grounds and nourished her lifelong love of the limelight.
Mary Jane also served 15 years on Delaware’s Child Protection Review Board, for 12 of those years working on the Ivyane D. F. Davis Scholarship committee to award scholarships that helped cover the costs of post-secondary education or training for youth who had been in foster care.
To all of these things and more, including traveling the world with Bob, Mary Jane brought considerable energy, good humor, and a philosophy that “it doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as the job gets done.” Her children give her a great deal of credit.
She was preceded in death in 2013 by her husband, and more recently by her brothers, Richard and Robert Wood. She is survived by her four children, Andy, Douglas (Michelle), Sarah (Kevin), and Michael (Pam), and two grandchildren, Callum and Caitlin.
Her children would like to express their deepest gratitude to the skilled, patient, and compassionate staff of Cokesbury Village, in particular those of Oakbridge Terrace, WillowBrooke Court, and Acts Signature Hospice.
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