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Mary Jane Resch
06/14/1924 — 02/01/2013
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Des Moines, IA
Mary Jane Resch
Mary Jane Resch died peacefully in February 1, 2013 at the Richland Rehabilitation Center.
Mary Jane was born on June 14, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from St. Josephs Academy High School in Des Moines. Mary also received nurses training at Mercy Hospital under a WWII government program designed to obtain nurses for the Army, Navy, and the Veterans Administration. She selected the Veterans Administration and was assigned to the V.A. in Des Moines, Iowa.
After finishing her required duty with the V.A., Mary Jane worked as a private duty nurse while attending the University of Miami, at Coral Gables, Florida. Through a student program at Coral Gables she was able to attend the University of Fribourg in Switzerland for six weeks. After that she worked at the University of Iowa Hospital while attending Iowa State University where she met her future husband Donald Resch.
Mary Jane and Donald married in August of 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa. They moved West in 1953 and raised their family in Richland, Washington.
Mary Jane was a faithful member of Christ the King Parish and was devoted to the Blessed Mother Mary, making two trips to Medjugorje and a trip to the Cathedral in Mexico City to honor Our Lady of Gaudalupe. She was also very devoted to Christ the King's Friday Adoration every week at 3:00pm Hour of Mercy.
Mary Jane is survived by her son Tom Resch; daughters, Martha Frank Blowe, Margaret Ann Resch, and Linda Andy Romanelli; six grandchildren; two brothers, John and Tom Laudel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents John and Isabel Laudel for whom she provided a home in their last years, and also by her husband Donald in 1977.
Mary Jane was joyful person who celebrated Christmas all year long. Strings of Christmas lights adorned her kitchen, living room, bedroom, front yard and back yard. The bird feeders next to her kitchen bay window never went empty. She was an avid kite maker and flyer and loved camping at Mt. Rainier National Park Ohanapecosh campground.
Descriptions of Mary Jane are: A caring and compassionate nurse, funny clown, hot air balloon lover, kite maker and flyer, bird lover, generous person giving to many charities, devoted Catholic , devoted to her family, photographer, crossword puzzle lover, world's best apple pie maker, driver of the elderly ladies to their appointments, loved to make candy peanut brittle and divinity. Mary Jane also was an active community citizen taking her citizenship seriously.
Visitation of Mary Jane will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Christ the King Catholic Church starting at 10:00am with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am.
Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, with a reception to follow at Christ the King Gathering Space.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Family and Child Services.
Another member of that great WWII generation passing. We were neighbors for years; a very nice lady. My prayers to the family and friends.
We have warm memories of Mary Jane. Our family enjoyed a fun time one year picking huckleberries with her son, Tom. He was a friend of our son, Dan. Our condolences to Tom and to all of Mary Jane’s family
I knew Mary Jane through the Laudel family of Denver and I will remember her as a very generous and caruing person. I last saw her at the World Youth Day festivities in Denver years ago when we attended an outdoor Mass said by Pope John Paul. Mary Jane was an exceptionally decent person in every way and an inspiration to me personally. I wish I could join the Resch family and other this week to celebrate her life. I’m sorry I can’t
A Mass will be said for Mary Jane at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles, Ca. At 6:30 a.m. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 with sympathy from Chris Kasel & the first graders at St. Paul the Apostle School.
Mary Jane was a delightful example of Christian love to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. God bless her family during this time with comfort with their precious memories.
Martha,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom was a wonderful person.
Maria
Mary Jane was a gem so compassionate
a true friend and fellow nurse. She
was loved by all, one of a kind. Her face expressed her love of God.
Peace be with her.
Leuita Mathiowetz
I remember when Martha and I ran around together in High School and the fact that I was always welcomed by Mrs Resch in her home no matter the time of day…..I know she will be truely missed by her Kids and Grandkids
Prayers go out to all of the family, Mary Jane was full of heart and such a trooper always out walking and going to church. She was such an awesome neighbor and will be greatly missed by all of us here. Heaven just got alot more beautiful with her watching over us too.
With Love from the Findlay/Blacketer Family
Another member of that great WWII generation passing. We were neighbors for years; a very nice lady. My prayers to the family and friends.
We have warm memories of Mary Jane. Our family enjoyed a fun time one year picking huckleberries with her son, Tom. He was a friend of our son, Dan. Our condolences to Tom and to all of Mary Jane’s family
I knew Mary Jane through the Laudel family of Denver and I will remember her as a very generous and caruing person. I last saw her at the World Youth Day festivities in Denver years ago when we attended an outdoor Mass said by Pope John Paul. Mary Jane was an exceptionally decent person in every way and an inspiration to me personally. I wish I could join the Resch family and other this week to celebrate her life. I’m sorry I can’t
A Mass will be said for Mary Jane at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles, Ca. At 6:30 a.m. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 with sympathy from Chris Kasel & the first graders at St. Paul the Apostle School.
Mary Jane was a delightful example of Christian love to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. God bless her family during this time with comfort with their precious memories.
Martha,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom was a wonderful person.
Maria
Mary Jane was a gem so compassionate
a true friend and fellow nurse. She
was loved by all, one of a kind. Her face expressed her love of God.
Peace be with her.
Leuita Mathiowetz
I remember when Martha and I ran around together in High School and the fact that I was always welcomed by Mrs Resch in her home no matter the time of day…..I know she will be truely missed by her Kids and Grandkids
Prayers go out to all of the family, Mary Jane was full of heart and such a trooper always out walking and going to church. She was such an awesome neighbor and will be greatly missed by all of us here. Heaven just got alot more beautiful with her watching over us too.
With Love from the Findlay/Blacketer Family
I was so sorry to learn of Mary Jane’s death. Her obituary says it all. She was the most caring and helpful person that I have ever known. She will be missed by so many. I pray her family and friends have peace in knowing that she is with her Lord and Savior.
God Bless!
I wanted to say to Mary’s family how very sorry I am to hear of her passing. She was such a sweet lady. My family lived in an F house behind her home in the 50’s and 60’s, when I was growing up. I remember my sisters and I babysitting her little children on occasion when we were young. Mary was always so kind to us and I was so pleased to have the opportunity to reconnect with her and visit last spring. Such a good kind heart, as ever.
Mary Jane & Don were best friends & neighbors of my parents when we moved into 505 Taylor, in 1958. There were no fences, just the gravel lots where early Richland folks parked their cars. I probably played with the Resch kids, & mowed their lawn. MJ hitched a ride with Mom in the ’80’s to visit in Seattle & see the Columbus replica vessels docked at Lake Union. Too many memories-all good. My condolences to Mary Jane’s family & many friends.
I have many warm memories of Mary Jane. I loved her spirit, generosity and her joy as she lived each day to the fullest. What a role model for us. My sympathies and prayers are with her family as they greive their loss. God Bless!
I only knew Mary through her time at Richland Rehab. She was pleasant, motivated and always tried her best. She had children who were proud of her, loved her, and worked together to cheer her on. A lady from her church recognized her and recalled how Mary had been such a blessing, always helping others. “Her children rise up and call her blessed…”Prov. 31:28. We’ve been fortunate to know Mary.
I was greatly privileged to know Mary Jane and have always a smile on my face thinking of her. She was sweet, kind and a walking testimony to her beliefs as a follower of Christ. She was generous in spirit and also great fun! She shared her joy of life in so many ways and will be missed by all.
I met Mary Jane through a mutual friend, Martha Chapple. She was a great friend to Martha and helped her in a variety of ways over the years. She struck me as one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and I’m glad I got to know her a little.
Martha, You and your mother. You were usually together. Mary Jane had a great smile and was a constant, proud member of CK. She will be missed. God Bless you and your family.
God bless my fellow nurse. The kindnesses she performed made the world a better place. I was honored to care for Mrs. Resch in her last days. My prayers are with her dedicated, loving family members who were there every day. Lori Cook RN
Guestbook for
Mary Jane Resch