Mary Jane Jakovac

On Monday, August 17^th, our beloved mother, Mary Jane (Tisdale) Jakovac completed her earthly journey and was called home. Mom valiantly battled her declining health and bravely faced her mobility issues with a balanced dose of stubbornness and humor. She was our matriarch, our humble, quiet and gracious leader. Mom never let a swear word or drop of alcohol pass her lips, even amid the teasing from her children and siblings. She was the epitome of a devoted Mother and Grandmother and our home on Marshall Street was our refuge from all of life’s challenges that included not only our teenage years but everything that came after. A place to gather for holidays, birthdays, or just a home cooked meal on Sunday. Her listening ear and constant and enduring presence kept us grounded and headed in the right direction. We were blessed with unconditional love and we thank God for our time with our mother.

Mom was born on January 20, 1939 in Ottumwa, Iowa and grew up in Lansing, MI. She was enrolled in the Lansing public school system and played the clarinet in her middle school band. She attended Lansing Eastern High School where she graduated in 1957. She was the first-born child to Cecil and Jane Ann (Singrin) Tisdale and eldest sister to her three siblings, whom she loved dearly.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, and several beloved family members: Dr. James Puckett, Keith Raymond, Tom Jakovac, Kim Watters, step-mother Dorothy Tisdale, and our father, William I. Jakovac.

She is survived by her six children: Jane (Paul) Carl, Chris Allen (Darrell), Pico (Mike) Ball, Traci (Tom) Shepard, Bill (Tina) Jakovac, and Marie (Michael) Armstrong.

Grandma J also leaves behind her heart in the form of her grandchildren: Zach Norman, Guine Christian, Tyler, Travis and Tony Allen, Anna and Nicholas Ball, Bailey and Corey Shepard, Jordan and Riley Jakovac, and Isaiah, Mia and Elise Armstrong.

Also mourning her passing are her siblings, Barb Puckett, Terry (Gwen) Tisdale and Sally (Del) Robinson. In addition, she is survived by cherished family members: Rosemarie Raymond, Joann and Pete Jacobs, Nancy and Doug Watters, Bonnie and Paul Armbrustmacher, and Mary Ellen Jakovac.

MJ was a full time Mom by day (i.e. chauffeur, teacher, laundress, mechanic, plumber, seamstress, physician assistant, etc.) but spent many years working in the evenings for MSUFCU when it first began in a tiny Quonset hut on MSU’s campus. She also enjoyed being an Avon lady and our house was a fragrant tapestry of sweet honesty and topaz. Once the house was empty and all the kids had graduated from college, Mom began full time employment at Sparrow Hospital/St. Lawrence. She spent many years with the Medical Records Department and it was there that she met her dear friend Norma Snider. They worked together and developed a special bond based on their shared love of family and egg drop soup that continued beyond retirement. Norma strengthened Mom’s walk of faith with the Catholic Church and we are eternally grateful for their friendship.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 25^th at 2:00 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 1505 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will be held in the church an hour before the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Arrangements are being provided by Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

If you so choose, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or Church of the Resurrection, Lansing, MI.

We want to thank her caretakers over the last few years at both Burcham Hills and the Willows at East Lansing, where some became extended members of her family and she cared for them deeply.

We love you Mom and miss you! Thank you for your commitment and devotion to our family. Your love lives on in each one of us and we look forward to being reunited in heaven.