Mary Jo Thompson of Del Valle, Texas passed January 28, 2018 at the age of 77 years young. Mary Jo was born on October 7, 1940 to parents Joe and Mary Jane (Fitchett) Johnson in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The oldest of three sisters, Mary Jo shared a special bond with Jill Bohdanowicz and Jeanne Friedrich. A salesman's daughter, she moved frequently and attended 12 schools in 12 years – developing her lifelong trait of making new friends wherever she goes.
A talented musician, Mary Jo played b-flat, alto and bass clarinet. It was a natural transition that she began her career working in the office at Leblanc USA, manufacturer of musical instruments. It was at Leblanc that friend and coworker Bonnie (Thompson) Glaeser introduced Mary Jo to her brother, Joe Thompson. A romance soon ensued, and they were married on June 15, 1963.
Joe and Mary Jo welcomed their son James and daughter Jodie to complete their family. Soon after, the family followed opportunity and a desire for warmer weather to San Jose, California. There, Mary Jo built her career in bookkeeping and office management in industrial and technology companies. Mary Jo made lifelong friends with her involvement in the Psi Pi chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Joe and Mary Jo impacted the lives of many children by leading the board of Santa Teresa Youth Football, where she also coached cheerleading. The football blood ran deep and their son James continued his football career, earning a full scholarship to the University of Utah. Joe and Mary Jo traveled the country to ensure they never missed a game.
Joe and Mary Jo retired to Jamestown, California in the Sierra Foothills, where they enjoyed a rich social life within their senior community. Mary Jo discovered her love for watching Community Theater, and continued her passion for working with children in after-school programs.
In 2006, Joe and Mary Jo left their mountain retirement life behind, following Jodie to the great state of Texas, to be near their new granddaughter. Residing in Crossroads, Mary Jo continued her work with children as an assistant coach in the pre-school TOT Basketball program.
Another move came in 2014 to the Austin area, once again following their granddaughter, to whom she was devoted. Fully enjoying retirement, Mary Jo poured her passion into granddaughter Jamison's pursuits in Girl Scouting, drama and all things electronic. Mary Jo also found her devoted companion, Jack, a rescue dog whose elusive mix of breeds is a bit of a mystery. Mary Jo also fostered a long string of shelter dogs through adoption or end-of-life care. Mary Jo enjoyed an active social life with many close friends in the Cross Oaks Senior Community of Del Valle.
Mary Jo is survived by the love of her life and husband of 54 years, Joe Thompson; son, James Thompson and wife Nikki; daughter, Jodie Gay and husband Jason; step-son, Brad Thompson and wife Diane; cherished granddaughter Jamison Gay (11); grandson, Andrew Thompson (31); and two great-grandchildren, Evan and Ryan Thompson.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you consider contributing to an organization very dear to Mary Jo. She was immensely proud of her stepson Brad Thompson's annual fundraising campaigns on behalf of St. Baldrick's Foundation to conquer childhood cancer. Donations may be made online at:
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