Born June 10, 1953 and raised in Dyer, IN, Mary Jo was a graduate of Lake Central High School class of 71. Mary Jo was loved by many and always had room in her heart for her friends. For decades, her life was driven by caring first for her children and later her grandchildren. Nothing could make her smile as much as holding a new grandchild for the first time or hearing tales of their day. She enjoyed watching TV and spending time on her computer games. For years, she and her twin sister would play daily online jigsaw puzzles together and call to see who finished first.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Guy "William" and Nada Robinson, her sisters Pam Watson and Sharon Blaskey, and her son, Chris Basile. She is survived by her brother Doug (Jeanne) Robinson, her husband Dave Stanley, her son Brandon (Samantha) Stanley, her daughter Ashlee Stanley, and her grandchildren AJ McQuen, Charley Stanley, Weston Stanley, Samantha Rasmussen, Anna Rasmussen, Jack Rasmussen, and Mary Rasmussen.
Due to her wishes, there will be no funeral service for Mary Jo. Instead, there will be a short graveside service held in her honor at Chapel Lawn Cemetery on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Family and friends may gather at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, located at 8178 Cline Ave. in Crown Point, around 12:30 pm to line up cars before processing over to the graveside. Mary Jo's family would like to offer a sincere and heartfelt thank you for the support given in the last few months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, in memory of her sister.
