Mary Jane Frances (McCusker) Kochanasz
The Kochanasz family mourns the loss of their matriarch and earthly angel with the passing of Mary Jane, 91, on October 22. Mary Jane practiced a deep and lifelong devotion to her Catholic faith, with particular love for the Holy Rosary and the Blessed Mother. She was an active member of Our Lady Help of Christians parish community. She possessed a superhuman capacity to welcome and love everyone in her life. Mary Jane was a devoted wife to her husband Paul for 66 years. Together, they created countless memories with friends and family around the dining room table, where love, laughter, food and drinks were shared freely, celebrating birthdays, holidays, or simple togetherness. But without question, the endearing joy of her life was her family: her husband, her children and their spouses, her brother, sisters and their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was an avid baseball and Phillies fan, inheriting her love of the game from her father, who worked in clubhouse operations for the Philadelphia Athletics. She was especially proud of her Irish heritage and instilled a love of all things Celtic into our family. Mary Jane was born in Philadelphia to John and Mary Grace (Hurley) McCusker; she was raised in Bally PA by foster-parents Charles and Helen Moll. She graduated from Boyertown HS and Sacred Heart School of Nursing. Mary Jane had a 45 year career as an RN at Sacred Heart Hospital,
Allentown State Hospital and Holy Family Manor. Mary Jane is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Paul Jr (2018). Siblings (Spouses): John “Jack” McCusker, dec’d (Barbara), Alyce Lindberg (Charles, dec’d), Margaret Murphy (Paul, dec’d), and Veronica Black (Sam). Mary Jane is survived by her Children (Spouses): Michael
(Julie), Paul (Kathy), Joseph (Deborah), Alice Serensits (Kevin), Timothy (Debbie), Margaret Anthony (Gerry), Andrew (Julie); Grandchildren ( Laura, Matthew, Nicholas, Brian, Julie, Amy, Amanda, Colleen, Caitlin, Patrick, Kelly, Luke, Alex, Nicole, Andy, Tony, Meghan, MaryKate, Casey & Maddie); and 18 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 11:00 am in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 444 N. Jasper St. Allentown. Calling will be on Thursday October 28, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the O'Donnell Funeral Home, 908 Hanover Avenue Allentown, and Friday October 29, from 10:00-10:50 am in the church vestibule.