Mary Jane van Vactor

Mary Jane Van Vactor, known as MJ to her friends, passed peacefully on January 18, 2023. She was 88. Married to Dr John C. Van Vactor, Ph.D. and professor emeritus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 58 years, who passed in 2016. They had three children John Lee Van Vactor, Steven Scott Van Vactor and Jane Anna Gibbs. Four grandchildren John C Van Vactor, Jessica Van Vactor, Amanda Gibbs-Galvan and Sarah Gibbs. Two great grandkids, Milo J Gibbs and Vera A Galvan.

MJ was fiercely independent, a voracious reader, and a lover of all puzzles, jigsaw, crosswords, and mysteries. She was a life long learner and an avid art collector and greatly loved by her family.

MJ had a long and varied career. She was a surgical nurse, school nurse, and psychologist. She also taught nursing at UNLV for many years. She also belonged to the America Nurses Association, National League of Women Voters and National Association of School Psychologists.

No services will be held at her request. If you wish to recognize her by making a donation, her favorite charities were Three Squared, Reading is Fundamental WWW.rif.org and Vegas PBS .

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the van Vactor family.