Mary Jane McNeilly

Mary Jane McNeilly of Grand Ledge passed away October 5, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family. Mary Jane was born December 29, 1936 in Detroit, daughter of Frank and Helene (Calder) Letzau. She graduated from Resurrection High School Class of 1955. Mary Jane worked for the MSU Library and while working at the university she met Gerald McNeilly. Mary Jane Letzau and Gerald McNeilly were united in marriage on September 24, 1960 and they were blessed with 6 wonderful children. Later in life, Mary Jane worked for the Diocese of Lansing in the Office of Education Catechesis and Youth Ministry. Since the 1970’s she had faithfully been involved with Hands of Rosary Makers at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lansing where she made in excess of 315,000 rosaries. In addition to making rosaries, Mary Jane displayed her talents and creativity by putting kits together, with her family, which included computers, stereos, and even a boat. Mary Jane continued to stay connected with her graduating class from Resurrection where she would organize reunions. The gatherings were more like family reunions because of how close her graduating class was. She had a “green thumb” and enjoyed growing and tending to her rose gardens and also looked forward to camping and playing bingo. Mary Jane also made many afghans for the disabled veterans in Grand Rapids. The most important thing to Mary Jane was spending time with her family and especially with the grandkids. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gerald; children, Jill (John) Ostrander, John, James (Susan), Joseph and Jeffrey (Missy); 18 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren with one on the way; special extended family, Jessica Gorski, Teresa Wolski, Kathleen Wolski Nuttall and Carolyn Kowalik. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her daughter, Julie McNeilly on January 1, 2022 and sister and brother-in-law, Anna Mae and Bob Drew. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church in Grand Ledge by Father James Eisele. You may watch the funeral mass for Mary Jane at 11:00 AM Saturday on the St. Michael Church YouTube channel at this link: https://youtu.be/4WNIT8z9VHQ . Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 2-4:00 PM and 6-8:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:30 PM at the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge and at the church Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be given to Hands of Mary Rosary Makers, 3815 South Cedar Street, Lansing, Michigan 48910 or McLaren Homecare & Hospice, 1515 Cal Drive, Davison, Michigan 48423.

Mary Jane McNeilly

December 29, 1936 - October 5, 2022