Mary Jane Smith

On January 29, 2018, Mary Jane (MJ) passed away peacefully to be with the Lord. MJ was born in Grand Island, NE on April 6, 1931 to George and Edna Kensinger (Peters). Mary Jane later moved to Sacramento, CA where she met Myles L. Smith. Mary Jane and Myles were married on June 11, 1949 in Reno, NV. They settled in Sacramento for the rest of their lives and had two children; Alan and Diana.

MJ participated as an active parent in the raising of her children. She could often be found as a room mother at school, PTA President, Den Mother, Girl Scout leader and always quick to lend a helping hand whenever necessary. Upon Myles’ retirement from McClellan Air Force Base, Myles and MJ were always working on home improvements, wood working projects and trips to Reno, Las Vegas or wherever the “wind” might take them. Myles preceded MJ in death in September 1996 after a loving marriage of 47 years.

Following the death of Myles, MJ and her Mother Edna would often be found traveling around to visit Alan in Pleasanton, his wife Janet and two children Craig and Bryan. Living a little closer to Sacramento, MJ could be found in Vacaville with Diana and her husband Steven Johnston and daughters Christine and Anna. During the last few years of her life, MJ lived close to Diana in Fairfield at the Paradise Valley Residential Care Home.

MJ leaves behind her children, Alan and Diana; spouses Janet and Steven; Grandchildren Craig (Jamie), Bryan, Christine Ash (BJ), Anna Vieira (Johnny); Great Grand children Gavin, Chase, Madison (Craig /Jamie) and Noah, Elizabeth (Christine/BJ).

A private funeral service is scheduled for February 7, 2018 at 12:00PM at Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary in Fair Oaks, CA. A Celebration of Life is being planned for early March with date and location to be confirmed.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.