On May 30, 2023, Mary Jane St. Clair (nee Schira) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and granddaughter. Mary Jane was 94 years old, the matriarch of our family. During the years since her husband Charley St. Clair’s death in 2017, Mary Jane had fiercely battled colon cancer and lymphoma. She was a “tough old broad” and wouldn’t let disease keep her from meeting and spending time with her Great Grand Children Otto Jacob, and Charlie Bliss whom she adored. Mary Jane is survived by her brother Dr. Donald Schira, sister Susan Epperson, daughters Jeanne Bloch, Teresa St. Clair, Jewell St. Clair, Christine St. Clair and son Charley St. Clair; Grandchildren David Bloch, Danielle Kyle, Jonathan Bloch, Alex St. Clair, Lauren St. Clair; Great grand children Charlie Kyle and Otto Bloch.
Mary Jane was born in her Grandmother’s house in Fostoria, Ohio in 1928. After high school she attended St. Elizabeth’s Nursing School in Dayton, Ohio. During this time her family relocated to Arizona to improve her father’s asthma condition. Mary Jane followed her family to Arizona and obtained a BS degree in Education from Northern Arizona University. After trying her hand at teaching, Mary Jane moved from Flagstaff, Arizona to Phoenix where she worked and taught nursing at Good Samaritan Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Little did Mary Jane know that a previous introduction by her sister Janet (deceased) to a decorated Korean War veteran US Army Lieutenant Charley St. Clair would change her life forever. Charley was in Phoenix attending graduate school at Thunderbird International School of Management when they became engaged. They married in Flagstaff in 1956. By 1959 the couple and their two daughters Jeanne and Tess were embarking on the first of many overseas assignments for our Dad who would accept positions with Firestone International in the Philippines, and Liberia. Two more daughters, Jewell and Christine would be born in the Philippines. Mary Jane’s only son Charley Turner would be born in Ohio in between assignments. Next the family travelled to Thailand where Charley Sr. worked for Foremost McKesson managing dairy plants providing milk products to American troops in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as the local Thai population.
Mary Jane became adept at entertaining her husband’s business associates, learning new cultures, cooking new foods, baking, sewing, playing bridge, exploring new countries, providing a warm and loving home, raising five children, and running a busy household. She loved the many friends of varied cultures that she met along the way. After 15 years of living outside the US, Charley would accept a position in San Francisco with Foremost McKesson. Once all of her children had graduated from high school, Mary Jane became interested in Real Estate and became an agent, a career that would best suit her outgoing personality. Mary Jane was not only a US based Real Estate Agent, but would go on to become an International Real Estate Agent when Charley accepted a position with the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) in Africa. The two lived in Botswana for seven years during which time Mary Jane developed a large international clientele who valued her loyalty, cunning, knowledge and friendship.
Most recently, Mary Jane has been living in Clovis with her daughters Jeanne, Jewell, and their three dogs Jay Jay, Beau and Ruby. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
A viewing is planned at Boice Funeral Home on Friday, June 23 from 5pm. To 7pm. With a grave site service to follow at Redbank Cemetery, 11548 E Shaw Ave, Clovis, CA 95619, on Saturday, June 24th at 9am.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a favorite charity of Mary Jane’s.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the St. Clair family.
