Mary Jo DeMaagd

Mary Jo was a loyal, compassionate woman who believed in the power of love. With a caring heart and a fun loving spirit, Mary Jo could always be counted on in the good times and the bad, and was a true friend. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Mary Jo took great joy in the world and people around her. She will be dearly missed.

Mary Jo's story starts in the late 1930's, when the United States was overwhelmed with the Great Depression. Even though nearly a decade had passed since the stock market crash in 1929, jobs were still scarce, and money was tight. Overseas, tensions in Europe were escalating rapidly, and a full scale war felt imminent. During a brief trip to Corry, Pennsylvania, Mildred gave birth to her daughter, Mary Jo. They, along with Mary's older brother, Jim returned to the Grand Rapids area where Mildred would raise them.

Though she was born in Pennsylvania, Mary Jo, along with her older brother Jim, spent her childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her mother was able to support her family as the owner of a printing business. When she was young, Mary Jo attended Coit Elementary. In the year 1955, she proudly graduated with her class from Central High School. After graduation, Mary Jo attended Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing. During her high school years she worked at the local Kroger store and following Nursing School she worked in a doctor's office and continued there until her first child was born.,.

In 1959, Mary Jo attended a singles function at the downtown YMCA, where she met a young man named Bob DeMaagd. The two were immediately smitten, and after a brief courtship, decided to become husband and wife. Mary Jo and Bob were married in Grand Rapids on December 19, 1959.

The newlyweds began their life together living on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, and then moved to a rental on the city's west side. In 1961, they decided to start a family, and Mary Jo gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Holly. The young family then moved to Old Gate Road NW, and in the year 1964 their second daughter, Beth, was born. Mary Jo then had three more children, John in 1965, Robert in 1967 and Amy in 1969. Mary Jo loved being a mother, and was very involved in her children's' lives as a member of the PTA, a Blue Bird leader, and a room mother in her children's classes. When the children grew older she went to work at Great Day Foods in the Deli and Bakery Departments and there she enlarged her circle of friends as well.

Mary Jo was a woman of many skills, and enjoyed staying active in her community. She often raised funds for the March of Dimes, and held a special place in her heart for Mel Trotter Ministry's Thanksgiving Dinner program. An artistic woman, Mary Jo was skilled in home remodeling, ceramics, country painting and gardening. She also enjoyed knitting, doing crossword puzzles, word search games and reading. Whenever she could, Mary Jo loved going shopping, and enjoyed going to garage sales with her husband Bob. They also enjoyed trips to the Farmer's Market and the beach, and traveled to Arizona, California and Hawaii together. Mary Jo was also a member of Second Congregational Church, and later Trinity Congregational Church.

When Mary Jo's children were grown, and had kids of their own, she found great pleasure in becoming a grandmother. Her grandkids described her as "Mema", and enjoyed many sleepovers at Grammas, when she would treat them to trips to Libby Lu's, Craig's Cruisers and the movies. A lively, funny woman full of hugs and kisses, Mary Jo adored spending time with her grandkids, and they loved being with her too. Mary Jo loved having fun, and could be a practical joker too. She was known to send caramel onions disguised as caramel apples to school for teachers. Needless to say, the victims of her jokes always found ways to retaliate! Mary Jo was also a strong, loyal woman who was a ten year survivor of lung cancer.

Mary Jo was a lively, fun spirited woman who valued humor, and also valued true friendship and loyalty. A compassionate, giving woman, Mary Jo always took care of others, and kept her family close through difficult times. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Mary Jo will be dearly missed, and fondly remembered.

Mary Jo died on Tuesday, February 2, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert,her mother, Mildred Godfrey Washburn and her father Herbert Washburn. She is survived by her children, Holly DeMaagd (Carmen Allison) of San Francisco, CA., Beth DeMaagd of Pittsburg, PA., John (Manon) DeMaagd of Grand Rapids, Robert DeMaagd Jr. of Grand Rapids, Amy Heathfield of Coopersville. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Tom and Matthew DeMaagd, Tre Hanis, Holly, Kathleen and Rebecca Heathfield; her brother and sisters- in –law, James and Dawne Washburn, Carol DeMaagd and Marjorie (Bernal) Quiros and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2PM at the Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. where friends may meet the family on Sunday from 1-4PM and on Monday from 1-2PM. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Spectrum Blodgett Hospital and staff for their wonderful care throughout the years. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce SE, 49503; American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson SE, 49503; American Lung Association – MI, 2122 Health Dr SW Suite 230, 49519 or Gilda’s Club, 1806 Bridge St NW, 49504. To read Mary Jo’s lifestory, share a favorite memory or sign the guestbook visit www.lifestorynet.com