Mary Jane Saunders

Mary Jane Saunders of Walla Walla peacefully passed away on November 17, 2023, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. She was born in LaPorte, Indiana, to Bertha and Merlin Jolly and grew up in Plymouth, Indiana.

She married William Saunders on November 8, 1955, in Argos, Indiana, and was blessed to celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary before she was hospitalized. They were a committed and loving couple!

Mary Jane and Bill spent 20 years as a "Coastie" family, as Bill enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard just prior to their wedding. They were stationed in many places: Massachusetts, Tennessee, Newfoundland, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Astoria, Oregon, before retiring in 1975 and moving to the Walla Walla Valley.

Mary Jane and Bill's children had the joy of having a stay-at-home mom for many years until she worked at Bumble Bee Tuna in Astoria, Oregon, for a few years in the early 1970s. She received her associate degree in nursing in 1979 and worked at the Walla Walla General Hospital for many years. Her patients loved the dedicated and compassionate care she gave them.

Mary Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Merlin Jolly; her sister, Margie (Chauncey) Bright; and her brother, Marion (Gladys) Jolly. She is survived by her loving  husband, Bill; her son, Bill Jr. (Nancy) Saunders; and daughters, Sheiron (Mike) Christensen and Debbie Saunders; as well as five grandchildren: Melissa (Andy) Arends, Billy (Brittany) Saunders, Heather Matthews, Michael (Jennifer) Christensen, and Shawn (Priscilla) Christensen. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren.

Mary Jane was described as a sweetheart by all she met and knew. She always put others' concerns and needs before her own. She was the best wife, mother, and friend anyone could ask for. She will be SO missed. Thank God for the promise that we will see her again in Heaven!

At her request, there will not be a funeral service, but a memorial service will take place next spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, or the local Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.