Mary Jane Minotti Ashby

Mary Jane “MJ” Minotti Ashby, 61 years old, passed away on August 22 after a heroic 16-year battle with cancer. She died at her parent’s home in Lighthouse Point, Florida surrounded by her loving family and supported by many close friends in her final months.

Mary Jane was born on March 3, 1955, at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. MJ was raised in Trumbull where she attended Saint Teresa’s Catholic School and Saint Joseph’s High School before moving with her family to Florida in 1970. She graduated from Deerfield Beach High School in 1973 excelling in writing. After graduation Mary Jane embarked on a spiritual journey which led her to Gondia, India. There she spent a year of her young life teaching and caring for orphaned children at the Yogashakti Ashram Sivanand International Public School, and was profoundly moved by this experience. She chronicled her time spent in India with very heartfelt letters sent home to her family. Later she went on to study Music at Broward Community College and graduated with high honors receiving an Associate of Arts degree in 1991. Mary Jane spent much of her career in the Hospitality industry working in many fine dining restaurants/clubs in Gainesville and South Florida. She was known for providing “five-star” service and a memorable dining experience to her guests always with a friendly smile. Mary Jane was also a promising singer/songwriter/musician and performed for a brief time with her former husband as “Folk Remedy” at several coffeehouses/bookstores and private venues in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. They also performed their original music at the 1998 South Florida Folk Festival.

Along with a passion for music and writing, Mary Jane was a disciplined runner, health and fitness buff. She ran her first marathon at Walt Disney World at age 40 with a top finish (4 hours, 20 minutes and 06 seconds) in her age group, and cheered on by her supportive sister, nieces and nephew. She loved nature, lived conservatively and was a strong supporter of the environment. In her final years, Mary Jane was employed at Target Corporation often riding her bike to work for fitness and in support of environmental causes. She loved her Target family, took pride in her “REDcard” achievements and participated in many company-supported community events. Inspired by her own health struggles and the importance of quality care for those facing life-threatening illnesses, MJ resumed her education at Broward Community College studying Nursing. Sadly, declining health would not allow her to complete this program. Throughout her own cancer fight, Mary Jane supported many cancer-related charities and others facing their own struggles. Before her first cancer treatment, MJ donated her long beautiful hair to “Locks of Love.” Mary Jane was also encouraging to those in her cancer treatment circle which she affectionately termed the “chemo café” at Broward Oncology Associates.

Mary Jane was also an avid birdwatcher; among her favorites was the magnificently colored painted buntings, eagerly anticipating their arrival each year. MJ also half-jokingly counted among her greatest accomplishments the solving of the Rubik’s Cube. She was also a fiercely competitive Scrabble player. Both the painted bunting and Rubik’s cube were tattooed in loving tribute by her brother Kenny and oldest nephew Jamie prior to her death. Mary Jane also lived to hear a song “Take Me as I Am” written and performed by her youngest nephew Anthony–a moving tribute to his aunt’s long-standing battle with cancer.

Mary Jane is survived by her parents Anthony J. Minotti Sr. and Jane DeBiase Minotti of Lighthouse Point; four siblings Anthony J. Minotti Jr. of Indialantic, Kenneth J. Minotti of Deerfield Beach, Linda M. Minotti of Lighthouse Point and Stephen J. Minotti of Deerfield Beach; three nieces Alison, Angela, and Ashley Minotti; two nephews Jamie and Anthony III Minotti; many relatives in South Florida, Connecticut, Tennessee and California.

A private family viewing was held last month at Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pompano Beach. A memorial service will be held on September 17 at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Deerfield Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in support of the youngest cancer victims fighting courageously each day as Mary Jane did.

You will be sadly missed Mary Jane but often remembered for your beautiful smile, angelic voice, thoughtful writings and lyrics, meticulous housekeeping, care and generosity toward others, and most of all for an undying love and dedication to your parents and family. Soar and fly, sweet MJ.