Mary Jane Capron

Mary Jane Capron, 79, of East Lansing, MI died on January 3, 2025. Mary was born August 12, 1945 in Wayland, New York, daughter of Russell and Mildred Allen Capron. Mary grew up on the family farm, participated in many activities and clubs, graduating from Victor Central High School, Victor, NY in 1963. Mary headed west and attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in 1968 and a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1973. Mary worked as a counselor at the Holt School District for 22 years before retiring in 2002.

Mary’s adventurous spirit took her on many travels across the country from Colorado to California, Arizona, Virginia, Florida and more! She enjoyed time with girlfriends as they worked various jobs, visited friends and relatives. Mary had a talent for floral arranging and created artful displays. She was also a passionate Scrabble player, frequently consulting her dictionary for the perfect word!

Mary was a devoted Aunt, special friend, loyal Spartan fan, avid birder, and excellent gardener. She loved plants and creating beautiful flower pots on her deck as well as others’. Mary cherished summer trips to the cottage at Gun Lake, and visiting her brother and nieces at the “lake resort” in Geneva, NY, always bringing the Schuler’s bar cheese and Montmorency cherries from Michigan. She never missed a birthday or holiday with a cute card and fun gifts. Mary also enjoyed her cars and road trips, from her first red Ford Mustang to various Hondas. She appreciated her East End cul-de-sac neighbors and served on the condo association board. Mary’s independent soul, humor, adventurous spirit, thoughtful insights, neighborhood tending, and loving devotion to her close friends, nieces and their families will be deeply missed.

Mary is survived by her nieces, Lisa Geist of Anchorage, Alaska and Amy Barrow of Aspen, Colorado. She was predeceased by her parents, brother James E. Capron, and dear friend and companion Don Hamachek.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Okemos Community Church, 4734 Okemos Rd, Okemos, MI. A dessert reception will follow. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available; please check with the church office or website at [https://okemoschurch.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://okemoschurch.org](https://okemoschurch.org) for details.

Burial will be at Farmington Friends Church Cemetery in New York at the convenience of the family later in Summer 2025.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s honor to the charity of one’s choice. Or simply purchase your own flowers, cut or potted, and enjoy them while remembering her spirit!

Arrangements are courtesy of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing, MI.