Obituary of Mary Jane Cook

Mary Jane Cook

January 28, 1928 to September 1, 2022

 

Mary Jane Cook died peacefully in her sleep on September 1, 2022, with the sensitive support of Agape Hospice and the wonderful staff at The Fountains Memory Care.

 

Mary Jane was said to be a friend to many, always ready with a compliment, smile and great sense of humor. She will be missed by all.

 

MJ was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Jerry who passed in December 2014. Mary Jane is in his arms again and they are dancing together. Mary Jane was born and raised in Homer, MI.  She and JD raised their sons in Jackson, MI. She is survived by her two sons Douglas and Gary (Kirsten), grandson, Ryan Cook (Grant), two granddaughters, Tekla Ayers (Steven) and Tamara Ponchahar (David), great-granddaughters Kaia Ayers, Alaina and Brooklyn Ponchahar and step-great-grandson, Andrew Ayers.

 

Mary Jane and Jerry moved from Michigan to the Voyager RV Resort in Tucson in 1988 and Mary Jane lived at The Fountains since 2015. Tekla captured the pure essence of Mary Jane and Jerry together in her 2002 poem about them “Their Timeless Dance” in the complete obituary below.

 

There will be no services and donations in her memory should be sent to your favorite charity. Arrangements by ANGEL VALLEY FUNERAL HOME.

 

 

Their Timeless Dance

Throughout my life, watching their dance has always brought a smile to my face. Their dance is one that expresses grace, love, respect, and cheer. It is the dance of my grandparents, the beautiful dance from which I hope I have picked up a few steps over my lifetime.

Their dance is classy, not in a stuffy way, but in a way of kindness and courtesy. Together they have danced through life exhibiting the love, encouragement, and support it takes to be a family with whom you want to move to the music.

 

Their dance is full of merriment and coordinated like the swing, full of laughter and twists and turns but always solid and together as a team. They've been dancing this swing for more than 50 years and I cannot imagine their dance ever ending.

 

Though they try to not let the pain stop them, it has decreased the tempo of their dance. I don't think the tempo of their song is close to stopping but hearing the rhythm changing is not the most comfortable dance to watch.

 

They have generously shared their dance with the family, and they have showed us their graceful steps. My father has been lucky enough to watch their dance his whole life and he and my mom have been dancing the dance but with their own unique and wonderful rhythm for the past 30 years.

 

Our family is so fortunate to have shared this timeless dance. I think Tamara and I have learned a Lot of the steps and hopefully we can each continue this tradition and meet our own partner to dance with and each share with our partner the respect and love for many years like G'ma and G'pa have.

 

To G'ma and G'pa with love, Tekla

Christmas 2002

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