Williamsport - Mary Jane (Kelly) Figueras, 99, formerly of Williamsport and had been residing with her daughter in Carmel, IN, passed away with family, friends and 4 Little Sisters of the Poor by her side on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 10:00 p.m. in the St. Augustine Home in Indianapolis.
Mary Jane was born in Litchfield, Illinois on February 12, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Bernard James and Anna J. (Bartman) Kelly. Mary Jane was raised in Litchfield, IL and graduated from Litchfield Community High School in 1941. She later moved with her family to Danville, Illinois, where she graduated from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1945. Mary Jane followed her dreams and moved to Los Angeles, California with two of her nursing classmates. It was there that she met Joseph William "Bill" Figueras, a handsome young X-ray technician who won her over by taking her to movie premiers and supper clubs. She and Bill were married on a snowy December 27, 1951 in Danville, Illinois and then returned to LA for a number of years. It was there that their son, William "Bill" Figueras, was born.
After several years in sunny California, the couple moved to Greely, Iowa where the city boy from LA decided to buy some dairy cows and a farm. They were happy in Iowa as that is where their daughter, Susan was born, but also found that dairy farming was a lot of hard work! In 1966 they moved to Williamsport where they settled to raise their family.
Mary Jane worked as a registered nurse with the Community Hospital in Williamsport (now Ascension St. Vincent Hospital) from 1972-1978. She later worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Danville, IL from 1978 until her retirement in 1989. She was the ultimate nurse/caregiver and was loved by all.
Mary Jane was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Attica and more recently been attending Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Carmel, IN. She was active in the St. Francis Ladies Guild and a member of the St. Elizabeth Nurses Alumni in Danville, IL. She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. In her pastime she enjoyed raising plants, listening to music and spending time with family, especially her grandson. She was noted for her warm hugs, big smile and sending cards out to friends and family on special occasions.
Mary Jane's husband, Bill preceded her in death on October 13, 2008.
She leaves behind a son, William A. Figueras, Williamsport; a daughter,
Susan A. (Robert) Alvis, Carmel, IN; three grandsons, Daniel Joseph Alvis, Leo (Britta) Alvis and Robert Alvis; a great-granddaughter, Leni Alvis. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William B. Kelly and Bernard E. Kelly along with a sister, Betty A. Burnett.
Friends may call at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 407 S. Perry St., Attica, on Thursday, February 23rd from 10:00 a.m. until the Rosary Service at 12:00 p.m. (noon). A funeral mass will follow at 12:15 p.m. with Rev. David Rasner officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Attica. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Augustine Home Little Sisters of the Poor, Humane Society or the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.