Mary Jane Ruzicka

Mary Jane (Hays) Ruzicka entered eternal life on Thursday, October 11, 2018.

Mary Jane was born on January 20, 1927 to her parents, Henry Adison Hays and Rebecca Sara (Barnes) Hays, at her home on Sumach Street, Walla Walla, WA. Soon after, the family moved to Dixie, WA where she, at the tender age of 7, lost her mother to tuberculosis.

Sometime after this her father moved them to Portland, Oregon where he owned and operated a grocery store. During this time, things became difficult, and for unknown reasons she was placed in the care of the State. She was placed with several foster parents during her growing years, but eventually ended up being placed with a couple who were loving and kind, Fred and Frances Crang. Whom, we grew to know and love, as grandma Foffy and grandpa Fred. They loved and treated her as if she were their own.

During the time with the Crang’s, Frances would attend Mass regularly, never asking if mom wanted to go. One day mom asked Frances if she could go with her. Frances said of course she could, and that was the start of mom’s lifelong faith of the Catholic Church.

After graduating High School in Portland, she returned to Walla Walla to live with her eldest sister and husband, Leland and Orlena (Hays) Demory. During that time, she enrolled in the St. Mary Nursing School (1945 – 1947).

She met her future husband, Vincent Louis Ruzicka, at the “Natatorium” where others cleared the floor just to watch them dance. As we were not there to witness this event, we did however see mom’s eyes light-up as she and dad would dance around the livingroom floor to waltzes and polkas. Oh what joy! They eventually were engaged and then married on December 31, 1947, at St Patrick Catholic Church of Walla Walla, enjoying a honeymoon in Spokane at the historic Davenport Hotel.

During their life together, traveling up and down the west coast, from Alaska to California, they produced a wonderful family of five. Theresa Ann (Savage) & (James) Alexander; Cecelia Joanne “C.J.” (Long) Catt; Thomas Vincent & (Tracy) Ruzicka; Yvonne Marie & (Gerard) Duncan Sr.; and Vincent “Zeek” Louis & (Judy) Ruzicka Jr. Through this family of five, she received her generational family of 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter who is her name sake.

After mom retired from her various jobs she had, to help support her family, she learned to crochet and made afghans and slippers for her grandchildren. Her arthritis got the best of her hands so she was not able to complete more of them. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. It was through them that we saw the true love she had in her heart. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren bloomed under her love and care. Baking cookies and lots of icing were in order when you visited grandma’s house. Mom never forgot a birthday! She would send each and every one of us a card that she had carefully selected. Oh how she loved us through the little things. She never allowed us to have a “pitty party” believing in – “Pray about it, it will all work out in the end” – and she was right!

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Opal Marie (Bippes) Richardson, a brother Harold Henry, her sister Orlena Rebecca Demory, her husband Vincent Louis Ruzicka Sr., a son-in-law Earl Gordon Savage, and a favorite niece Phyllis Jane (Demory) Jordan.

Mary Jane Ruzicka is under the care of Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.  Viewing and Visitation will be held from 11a.m. until the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6 p.m on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 2098 E. Alder, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 2120 S. 2nd Avenue. There will be a reception at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church after the burial service. If you would like to wear a little pink in her honor please feel free to do so.

Memorial Contributions may be made in her memory to Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center or the Walla Walla Catholic Schools, through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362.