Mary Jane O'Connell

Mary Jane O'Connell, 74, of Jefferson City, formerly Nevada, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at Capital Region Medical Center, in Jefferson City. She was born March 13, 1930, in Joplin, a daughter of Frank A. and Ethel Morgan. She was married in August 1952 in Nevada to Willoughby Leroy O'Connell, who preceded her in death on April 18, 1984.

Mary Jane was a 1948 graduate of Nevada High School, and earned a degree from Drury College in Springfield. She was a homemaker, and also worked for the Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Facilities Management in Jefferson City until her retirement in 2001. She also worked for a time for the Kansas City Star as well as the Harry L. Pritchard Realty Company. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City, a former member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Nevada, the Missouri Historical Society, Cole County Historical Society, a charter member of the Diana's MFWC in Nevada, and was president of the Women's Democratic Committee in Nevada and a former member of the Nevada Country Club. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, and was inducted into the White Rose Circle for being a 50-year member.

Survivors include two sons, Timothy O'Connell and his wife, Dana, Holts Summit, Mo., and Thomas O'Connell and his wife, Betty, Bella Vista, Ark.; nine grandchildren, Timothy O'Connell Jr., Trey O'Connell, Troy O'Connell, Micah O'Connell, Josh O'Connell, Joel O'Connell, Tommy O'Connell, Kolby O'Connell and Annie Rose; and two great-grandchildren, Aden O'Connell and Logan O'Connell.

Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m., today, at the Houser Millard Funeral Directors -- Jefferson City Chapel. Visitation will also be from 6--7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Ferry Funeral Home with John Nichols officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Nevada.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Mary Jane O'Connell Memorial Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.