Mary Jo Mccormack

Mary Jo McCormackMary Jo McCormack, 78, Tipton, and a former Kokomo resident, left this world at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2006 to be with God  . . . and her dear husband, Vinnie.  She died peacefully, enveloped by family and dear friends.  On July 9, 1928 Thecla Schies and Joseph Peter Terre gave birth to a daughter in Chicago Heights, Illinois.  She was an only child, but inherited a multitude of brothers and sisters when she married her Irish husband Vincent McCormack on June 12, 1954.Mary Jo was filled with compassion and wisdom . . . always willing to help others and go the extra mile.  Her family and friends, as well as employers, knew they could count on Mary Jo to get the job done, and do it with enthusiasm.  She sparkled with wit and laughter, offering a listening heart and active hand.Mary Jo worked for 27 years for Metropolitan Life where she was appreciated for her aptitude and her attitude.  She also worked at Indiana University Kokomo for several years and continued to fill-in as needed until her retirement a year ago.  While she had several places of paid employment . . . her real work was among her family and friends.  She and Vinnie attended untold numbers of plays, recitals, ball games and special events for their dozens of nieces and nephews and children of dear friends. Her home was always open and served as a place of welcome and delightful comfort to each and every one of them . . . and their parents.Mary Jo enjoyed theater and travel and people . . . a wonderful combination for such an energetic woman.  Her last trip was to the Holy Land with friends from St. Joan of Arc Church.  She was thrilled to have seen the Pope, and to have made such a special journey. She was especially grateful for the poignant memories in her final weeks.As an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary Jo was very active as a volunteer.  As her life drew to a close, Mary Jo lived among the Sisters and residents at St. Joseph Center in Tipton, Indiana. Even in her last weeks, Mary Jo made new friends and became a close member of the St. Joseph family . . . leaving everyone with a sense of hope and a pleasant smile.Mary Jo McCormack will be remembered by so many young people as one who never hemmed them in, but always encouraged them to follow their hearts.  She loved seeing and being a part of youth’s boundless energy.  Her contemporaries will find comfort recalling her laughter and her ready wit.  The world has been blessed by her presence.  Those who knew her mourn her leaving, but celebrate her arrival in heaven. . . and into the arms of her beloved Vinnie.Survivors include three cousins, Theresa Wirtz, Merrillville, Indiana, Jim and George Schies, Virginia; sister-in-law Margaret Hawkins, Tipton; brothers-in-law Eugene McCormack and wife Pat, Tipton, and Malachy McCormack and wife Martha, Kokomo; numerous nieces and nephews.Father Dennis O’Keeffe will say Mass at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 26, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo and burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Tipton.  Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, 216 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, and from 12:00 noon – 1:00 Saturday at St. Joan of Arc. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Memorials may be given to St. Joan of Arc School Endowment, 3155 S. 200 W., Kokomo, Indiana, 46902 or the Kokomo Humane Society, 713 N. Elizabeth Street, Kokomo, Indiana, 46901.