Mary Jane Lucas

Mary Jane Lucas was born to Life on August 9, 1923 in Lannon, Wisconsin and born to Eternal Life at the age of 96, on February 3, 2020, in Perrysburg, OH. She passed away with both her daughters holding her hands and singing the song, “Mother I love you”, a song they have sung to her since childhood. As adults, they sang it to her over the phone daily.

Mary Jane was lovingly called MJ, Mama, Mother Dear, Auntie “E”, Grandma Luka, Mama Lu, and Gram. She passed away on her wedding anniversary; to L. James Lucas (deceased).

Devoted mother of John (Karen) Lucas, James Lucas (Deceased), Marijane (Shawn) Miyake, and Kathie (Doug) Zastrow. Loving grandmother of Alissa Ulanday, Michael (Janille) Miyake, Dale Lucas, Jay Lucas, Luke (Lauren) Zastrow, and Jacob Zastrow. Great-grandma of Noah and Hailey Ulanday. Daughter of Anthony and Mary Ackermann. Sister of Margaret “Muggs” (Raymond) Schlinder, and Tony (Mary) Ackermann. Also loved by cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Mary Jane consistently poured her love into her family and friends. She adopted special young men and women into her family as sons and daughters. And she loved and “mothered” her nieces, friends of her daughters, and several of the staff at The Manor at Perrysburg Care Center in Ohio, where she resided for the last 2 ½ years.

As she aged and needed more help, her son “Jimmers” cared for her in her home in Wauwatosa, WI. She appreciated him so much and missed and thought of him every day following his passing. Her daughter, Kathie, brought her to Ohio in September of 2017 and lovingly watched over her care at The Manor at Perrysburg and joined her weekly for craft group, parties, Sunday church services and visits to just enjoy each other. Mary Jane gave each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren endearing nicknames.

Mary Jane was a long-time member of St Therese Catholic Church near Wauwatosa, WI and had a close relationship with God. She enjoyed silent retreats as a young mother and raised her children attending Saint Therese Catholic Church. She read her bible regularly and memorized several verses. In her later years, she read her daily devotionals with her daughter and frequently prayed for her family and friends who needed healing or a touch from the Lord.

Mary Jane loved parties and holidays and always had an open invitation for those who had nowhere to go, asking them to join her family celebrations. She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, going out to eat, making crafts and playing cards; including bridge and a family card game of “Sheepshead.”  She was a great baker, especially of cakes, breads and her famous donuts!  Mary Jane was a long-standing active member of the Carpenter’s Axillary in Milwaukee.

Mary Jane’s primary job in her life was a stay at home full-time mom. She also worked various office jobs. In her 50s, she became an insurance agent. This was a challenge to train for at that age.  She worked in this job until retirement at age 62. True to her work ethic in all her jobs, whether it was raising her children, working outside the home, or working in her rehabilitation during her later years to regain her functional abilities; she put forth great effort. She completed a job as she always encouraged her children to do saying, “You do the best you can do, and that’s all you can do.”

Mary Jane touched many people’s lives with her caring, wise advice, a listening ear, and genuine love. God bless you, mom/grandma; we love you very, very, very much and miss you already; but we know you will be waiting to greet us when it’s our time to be called home to heaven.

The “Celebration of Life” Mass will be held at Saint Therese Catholic Church, 9525 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226 on February 29, 2020, at 1:00 PM. Reception to follow in the parish hall.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Activities Department in which she participated:

The Manor at Perrysburg, 250 Manor Drive Perrysburg, OH  43551  Attention: Activity Director

A special thank you to the staff at the Manor of Perrysburg, for all of the loving care you provided for Mary Jane; many of you were her “Ohio family.”