Mary Jo Toth

Mary Jo Toth, age 54, died on October 2^nd, 2023, in Lansing, Michigan. A public visitation will be held on Monday, October 9^th, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Dimondale First Presbyterian Church located at 162 Bridge Street, Dimondale, Michigan 48821. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with interment at Dimondale Cemetery directly following.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her mother Joanne Kay Toth.  Mary Jo is survived by her father Rev. John (Nancy) Toth, sister Barb (Tim) Lowe and brother Ken (Robyn) Toth, nieces Laura (Jeff) Schlicker, Rylie Toth, and Kelsy Toth, stepsiblings Tony (Sue) Berry, Matt (Susie) Berry, Wendy (Mark) Oliynk, stepnieces and nephews Jordan Berry, Jessica Berry, Alyssa (Riley) Svec, Zachary (Sarah) Berry, Alicia Berry and Jacob Hall, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mary Jo was born in the Panama Canal Zone and spent her childhood in Dimondale, MI riding her bike, falling off, and breaking bones. As a teenager, she worked for Hartley in the shipping department and eventually began writing manuals for the IT help desk. She continued her education at Alma College graduating with her Bachelor of Science which led into her career in software training. She enjoyed traveling for Jostens Learning and Pearson Learning training and educating teams at the brink of technology in education. She touched so many lives during her time as an IT Specialist for Varnum law firm and the Michigan Attorney General’s office, and her co-workers will miss her dearly.

Anyone who knew Mary Jo knew that she LOVED Disney. Her Disney collection spanned her house from kitchen knobs to shower curtain hooks to the sound the toaster made when it popped and started singing Mickey Mouse March or It’s a Small World. Everything was Disney. If you turned on a light, then the light switch had a Disney cover and the chandelier or lamp shade that was turned on had a Disney character in the design. Do you have themed Disney character bathrooms? Mary Jo had Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and Little Mermaid themed bathrooms that made visiting her house a full Disney experience. Her love for Disney started when she saw The Little Mermaid in the theater with her mom, Joanne, and since then, she was a frequent visitor of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. One of her dream vacations was to visit Tokyo Disney Resort, Shanghai Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland so she could say she had been to all six Disney parks.

In addition to her Disney collection, she loved NASCAR, reading and reviewing books, traveling, gardening, feeding the birds and the rabbits in her back yard, and shopping. Even though she didn’t have children of her own, she spoiled her nieces, Laura, Rylie, and Kelsy, like they were her own kids. She took them shopping for every birthday and loved taking their pictures at every family event to fill the annual Toth family calendar that she made for each Christmas. She loved her routine and her life she had built.

Mary Jo also loved giving to others. Whether it was a coupon to use for their next Bath & Body purchase, advice for their next vacation to Disney, or IT help when their computer just wasn’t cooperating, Mary Jo was always ready and willing to help. She loved bringing extra laundry detergent, snacks, toilet paper, and food from her garden to family’s houses when she visited. Mary Jo was great at gift giving. She had a talent for knowing what people needed and being there for them before they could ask for help. She always volunteered to be the driver and always found a parking spot closest to the door, she continuously donated her extra shoes and clothes, and she always showed up with loving support when you needed her.

She will be greatly missed by all of her family, friends, and co-workers who are deeply saddened by this unexpected loss.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 162 Bridge Street, Dimondale, MI 48821 or Camp Greenwood, 13564 MacClain Street, Gowen, MI 49326.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.