Mary Jane Hennessey

On Jan. 2, 2009, Mary Jane Hennessey passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family, to be with our Lord in Heaven.

Mary Jane began her journey of life on Nov. 1, 1919. She was born in Clark Fork, Idaho, to Albert H. and Elsie K. Wilson and was the ninth of 10 children. She was raised on Lightening Creek without running water or electricity.

After her father passed away, the family moved to the town of Clark Fork. Her brothers and sisters - Ruby, Bill, Ted, Emma, Barbara, Judy, Midge, Bob and Betty Jean - all had a true pioneer spirit shared by their families today.

Mary Jane was the last surviving Wilson. Family was very important to her and she enjoyed time spent at Wilson reunions with her many nieces and nephews and the many generations that attend.

She attended Clark Fork schools and after graduating high school, went to the University of Idaho, graduating in 1939 with a teaching degree. She began her teaching career in Clark Fork and taught in American Falls, Idaho, Kennewick School District, St. Joseph's Catholic School and Cheney School District, retiring in 1981.

She met the love of her life, a U.S. Army private first class, James J. Hennessey in Boise, Idaho. They were married on July 2, 1942, in Tucson, Ariz. It has been said he borrowed $2 from her, telling her he would not repay unless she married him. Two days later, they were married and 67 years of marriage ensued.

Dad served his country and in the fall of 1942 left for the European theater. Mom quit teaching and joined the U.S. Navy in the winter of 1942. Her tour of duty was spent in the basement of the White House in Washington, D.C. Along with other WAVES, she broke codes working on some of the first computers. She was very proud that she and dad had served their country in World War II.

After the war ended, they began raising their family, James, Joe, Jenee, Jennipher and John. Wherever Dad found work we lived; Okmulgee, Okla., Ellensburg, Wash., Juanita, Wash., and Vashon Island, Wash, before moving to Kennewick in 1962. In 1969 they moved to Cheney, Wash, where she touched many lives of students at Eastern Washington State University. While in Cheney they sponsored a Vietnamese family through their church. "Mommy" to Soc and Duyen Do and Grandma to their five children, Yen, Thinh, Vuong, Viet and Hieu. After retirement they returned to Kennewick.  

Mom had many pastimes and talents. She enjoyed sewing, baking, growing and canning vegetables and fruit. She was a true "green thumb," growing beautiful flowers and houseplants. The art of crocheting took hours of her free time. All family and friends were warmed by her hats, afghans, blankets, scarves and sweaters. All newborns known to her were swathed with beautiful baby blankets, booties and bonnets. Her last baby blanket was for her physician, Dr. Kelly Cote's, first born.

Mom loved all her children's spouses and was  "Mom" to them. She especially loved her 12 grandchildren and her great-granddaughter, Julia. She was always supportive and was there for all of us, a wonderful Mom and Grandma. Many other families "adopted" her as Mom and Grandma and she has many friends around the world.

Mom believed in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, The Holy Catholic Church, and had so much faith. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kennewick and Saint Rose of Lima in Cheney, Wash. She was preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and sisters and her oldest son, James.  

She is survived by her loving husband, James of Kennewick; daughter in-law, Betty Hennessey of Vancouver, Wash.; and her children Joe and Helen Hennessey, and Jenee and Steve DeMers of Kennewick, Jennipher Hennessey and Arthur Rubin of Lacey, Wash., and John Hennessey of Spokane; her grandchildren, Brian and Megan Hennessey, Pat, Mike, and Liz Hennessey, Justin, Jayson, Joshua, and James DeMers, Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, Devin, and David Hennessey, and her great-granddaughter, Julia Hennessey.  "G.G. went over the rainbow."

Memorial services will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kennewick, Wash., Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. Donations can be sent to the VFW Post 10320, Clark Fork, Idaho 83811 for the Avenue of Flags, where a flag will fly in her honor.