Mary Jane Slusser

Mary Jane was born on September 17, 1945 in Hamtramck, MI to Daniel and Jane Klepac. She attended Warren High School, graduating in 1963. After high school, she attended Eastern Michigan University to pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy and then matriculated to the University of Michigan for a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration. This education was put to good use in her professional career, which led Mary Jane to direct the Occupational Therapy program in the Cabarrus County (NC) school system for a number of years until her retirement. In this capacity, she helped countless children achieve independence in their daily activities. Earlier in her professional life, she also directed the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association. As a single mother, she dove into activities with her sons, including becoming the first female Boy Scout leader in the Mecklenburg County Council. These pursuits were indicative of her lifelong commitment to serving others.

In her spare time, Mary Jane led an active lifestyle, and had an undying passion for tennis. She took great pleasure in the sport and continued to play regularly into her late 70s. She also loved to watch tennis and logged more than 1600 hours of Tennis Channel annually. An avid golfer as well, Mary Jane played with her neighborhood friends on a regular basis (in addition to family time on the links). Mary Jane also reveled in board games and crafting, the former with the ladies from Carolina Preserve, and the latter with her granddaughters (especially making angel ornaments at Christmas-time). Community engagement was another passion for Mary Jane, as she lent her time to the Architectural Review Committee at Carolina Preserve, among other volunteer activities.

More than anything, though, she loved to help others, the spirit of which came from her mother. She was always up for driving someone to an appointment or helping with activities for her grandchildren. On birthdays and special events, she always sought the perfect gift and a card that contained the most appropriate sentiment for the occasion. We often thought of her as the title “character” in the classic Shel Silverstein children’s book, The Giving Tree.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Kathleen and brother David.

She is survived by her sons Noel McElreath (and wife Jennifer) Ryan McElreath (and wife Stacey); grandchildren Julie and Tyler D’Agostino and Riley, Reese and Rowan McElreath. She is also survived by her brother Bruce Klepac and wife Pat and their children Korey and Ian; nieces Jane Serra, Gayle Boles and Echo Hunt and nephew Mark Trombley.

In lieu of customary remembrances, we kindly request you make donations to Duke HomeCare & Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27704, or the online giving site as follows: https://www.givetodukeathome.org

A celebration of Mary Jane’s life will be held at Bradford Hall at Carolina Preserve. on March 25, 2023, from 2-4pm. 115 Allforth Pl, Cary, NC 27519

Fond memories and expressions of condolences can be shared online at apexfuneral.net for the Slusser family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.apexfuneral.net for the Slusser family.