Mary Jane Finnigan's Obituary
Mary Jane Finnigan
June 17, 1925 - June 8, 2012
Mary Jane Finnigan, 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Redlands, California on June 8, 2012.
Mary Jane was born on June 17, 1925 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Alfred and Rachel Chapman. She was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, David and Flora Finnigan. On August 13, 1942, in Aurora, Colorado Mary Jane Chapman married Harold E. Finnigan, who preceded her in death on August 16, 2005. Mary Jane was also preceded in death by daughter Sierra Samra on January 5, 2007. Surviving are her children Mary Ellen Samra of Redlands, Harold (Ruth) Finnigan of Upland, Danny (Debby) Finnigan of Fallbrook; Sister Helen Holcomb of Aurora, Colorado. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. Mary Jane grew up with her sister Helen in Aurora and was an accomplished saxophonist by the time she was in high school. After meeting and marrying her husband she followed wherever his navy enlistment took them, making houses into homes along the way and keeping busy as a working mother while raising four children. Mary Jane's capable versatility can be seen in her varied work positions over the years; greeting card representative, administrative assistant at a college, office manager for a vending machine company, even running a Foster's Freeze with her family in Colton for several years. Mary Jane remained beyond busy even after her children were grown and she had retired. Her loves were gardening, canning, sewing, and various arts and crafts. She greatly enjoyed travelling to various states by motor home with her husband and made friends in every camp along the way while also learning to flawlessly navigate a huge fifth wheeler with her tiny frame. She was an avid collector of agate stones that she would find on the beach and polish to a beautiful gleam. She was a good cook, a thoughtful caretaker, and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was proper but forgiving, and she was one of the kindest and most gentle souls that God has ever placed on this earth. She was immensely loved and will be greatly missed by her entire family.
Mary Jane's services will be a celebration of her life with a memorial Mass at 10am Saturday, June 30 at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 28991 Merris St., Highland, 92346, Monsignor John Ryan presiding. Mass will be followed by a reception for all friends and family at Arrowhead Country Club, 3433 N. Parkside Dr. San Bernardino, CA. 92404. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Jane's name to Odyssey Hospice and Healthcare located in San Bernardino
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