Mary Jane Gaskin

Mary was born on August 26, 1949 in Fort Monroe (now Hampton), Virginia. Her family lived in several places during her childhood due to her father’s military service, including Virginia, New Jersey and Germany, before settling in Enola, Pennsylvania, where she grew up. After graduating from East Pennsboro High School, she received a bachelor's degree in chemistry and English from Dickinson College. Mary then completed both a master’s degree in theater and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a member of Law Review.

Mary met her husband, James, at the University of Pittsburgh, and they were married in 1977. They lived in Indianapolis for several years before settling in The Woodlands in 1983, where they raised their three children and opened their own law practice.

Mary will be remembered for her passion, her kindness, and her fierce loyalty. She had enormous empathy for her family, her friends and her clients, and made everybody around her feel special with her genuine interest in their lives and their well-being. She loved giving gifts, commemorating special moments, and remembering important milestones in people’s lives. She was truly invested in everybody around her.

Mary loved to travel and had opportunities to visit destinations around the world, including Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and numerous countries across Europe. She had a special affinity for Hawaii and visited many times throughout her life.

She is survived by her husband James Annelin, her three children, Elisa Annelin, Moira Annelin (Chris Cortelyou) and Quinn Annelin (Tommy Sheu), and five grandchildren, Stella and Sean Annelin, and Maya, Kyla and Lily Cortelyou. She is also survived by her siblings Felicia (Shu-Man) Fu, Lillian Gaskin and Joseph (Karen) Gaskin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Wanda (Rakowski) Gaskin, and a brother-in-law Fred Lipton.

A private burial for the family will take place, and all are welcome to attend the memorial service that will follow on Sunday, April 23 at 2:00 pm at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Montgomery County Food Bank or to her alma mater, Dickinson College.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the Gaskin family.

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home is honored to serve this family.