Mary Jane (Verveer) Alexander

Mary Jane Alexander, 76, of Springfield, Virginia, known to her loved ones as MJ, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2023. Her adoring husband of 54 years, Colonel (Ret) Robert W. Alexander, was by her side. Beloved sister of Philip Verveer and sister-in-law Melanne Verveer. Cherished aunt of Michael Verveer, Alexandra Verveer (Adam Goldberg), Elaina Verveer (Greg Johnson), Scott Martin (Katie), Brooke Clement (Tony), Lyndsay Ressler (Adam), and Haley Wilkes (Dan). Devoted great aunt to many great nieces and nephews, including Leigh and Evan Bianchi, who loved her dearly.

A dedicated Air Force wife for whom Bob’s 26-year service was as much her career as his, MJ shared in 10 permanent changes of station, including NATO assignments in Germany and Belgium. During Bob’s service, she worked in the U.S. Civil Service as an Administrative Assistant and Program Analyst. In recent years, MJ volunteered with the Honor Flight Network welcoming veterans at Washington Reagan National Airport.

MJ was known for her warm and friendly nature and for always putting her family first. She delighted in hosting annual Easter egg hunts in her and Bob’s home for their grandnieces since they were very young, including through this past Easter though those grandnieces are now in their 20s. MJ never let anyone leave a hunt without life-sized bags of popcorn.

MJ was an accomplished genealogist, documenting generations of the Verveer family tree in Europe and the United States through extensive research. She had a passion for traveling and was an avid collector of Early Americana, chocolate and ice cream molds, and porcelain. MJ particularly loved rabbits, and her family delighted in her collection of molds in the shapes of bunnies.

Born in Elmhurst, Illinois to the late Louis L. Verveer and the late Janet Zerfass Verveer, MJ received her primary education at Star of the Sea in Honolulu, Hawaii, and St. Joseph's Catholic School in Downers Grove, Illinois. She graduated from Downers Grove North High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Iowa State University, where she met Bob on an arranged date for the ROTC Military Ball. She was a member of Omicron Nu, the Honorary Home Economics Society.

Bob, who at one youthful stage, had proclaimed in writing he would never marry, suddenly found himself inviting MJ to a ROTC parade with his parents, asking MJ to pin his gold bars on him with his mother when he was commissioned, attending church with MJ, and driving her home to the Chicago area after the school year. For her part, MJ quickly began her own training program, which lasted 55 years, to improve Bob’s punctuality and appreciation of modern films.

A faithful Catholic, Mary Jane was a member of St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in Springfield, Virginia, where she worshipped.

Funeral services for Mary Jane on November 30, 2023, will include a Funeral Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield, Virginia, at 10:00 AM and graveside services at Arlington National Cemetery at 1:00 PM.

The family thanks The View Alexandria and Goodwin Hospice staffs for their compassionate care. Friends Gretchen Sauer, Mary Jane Bradley-Smith, Barb and Terry Croft, Brian Boland, John Peterson, and Helene Phelan provided solace from near and afar. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Catholic Charities, Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) in Springfield, Virginia, World Central Kitchen, Honor Flight Chicago or Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, Goodwin Hospice, or the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.

The Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, Virginia, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

May Mary Jane Alexander rest in eternal peace. Her memory is a blessing to all who knew and loved her.