Mary Jane Weber

Mary Jane Ray Weber, 78, of Holland, Ohio, passed away peacefully October 26 surrounded by her loving family at The Cleveland Clinic after a 10 year battle with colorectal cancer. Mary Jane was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who lived her life selflessly, thinking always of others.

Mary Jane was born on March 1, 1935 to Guion and Geraldine Ray, both of whom preceded her in death. She graduated from Whitmer High School where she displayed her tenacious and fighting spirit through field hockey, softball, and cheerleading. She continued her education at The University of Toledo where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. It was at the university where she met her husband, William B. Weber, and they were married in May of 1956. Bill and Mary Jane were true soul mates and shared 57 years of happy memories raising their family of 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

Mary Jane had a wide range of experiences in the field of education including stints at The Friendly Center Nursery School and The Wood County Migrant Education Program. After earning her master's degree in reading from The University of Toledo, she worked as an educator in Toledo Public Schools, including Spencer Sharples, Pickett Elementary and finally as a reading specialist at Cherry Elementary School. Throughout her career, Mary Jane served as a role model to all who knew her; her dedication to teaching children to read proved inspirational to her family of 4, all of whom are currently working in the field of education.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, William B. Weber, Sr., son William B. Weber, Jr. (Kristina Ford Weber); Robert R. Weber (Lisa Fischer Weber); Kathy Weber-Moldawsky (Marek); Karen Bixler (William) and grandchildren: Andrew Weber (fiancé Stacy DeBruyne), Adam Weber and Kathryn Weber; Madison and Nolan Weber; Kristin, Alexander, and Benjamin Jurek, Meredith Rae Moldawsky; Ryan and Katelyn Bixler. Mary Jane was most proud of the fact that her children and grandchildren have excelled in their chosen fields and have become highly successful professionals, having earned college degrees or are currently enrolled in college (The University of Findlay, The Ohio State University, and The University of Michigan, The University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green State University) and are all excellent students and athletes. Her missive to her grandchildren was always "Don't do anything stupid," a rule they follow conscientiously. She is also survived by siblings Nancy (Al) Striggow, Ed (Shirley) Ray, Judy (Larry) Spradlin, and Guion (Karen) Ray and many special nieces and nephews.

Mary Jane and Bill had many wonderful happy years together enjoying time with their family in the Irish Hills of Michigan and their second home, Marco Island, Florida where they have spent the winter months for over 20 years. Mary Jane loved to sit on the lanai, reading one of her favorite books, and cheering on her beloved Detroit Tigers.

Special thanks to the wonderful professionals at the Hickman Cancer Center, including Dr. Jeffrey Muler, and Dr. Thomas MacAlear and their staffs for their unwavering kindness and dedication to her care.

The family will receive guests on Tuesday, October 29 from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo (419) 381-1900. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider The Hope Lodge, Cleveland, Ohio or the Read for Literacy Foundation (readforliteracy.org).