Mary Jo Springer Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Josephine Mary “Mary Jo” Springer made her journey to heaven on Sunday May 15, 2016 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. She was born on May 1, 1929 in Satsop, Washington a daughter of Calvin and Stella Fuller Osterhout. When Josephine was a little girl, her aunt said that Josephine Mary Osterhout was way too big a name for a little girl. So she began to call her Mary Jo. The name stuck so she went by Mary Jo for most of her life. Her family never stayed in one place more than two and a half years. So there were many ups and downs in her young life as she adjusted to living in a variety of locations across the northwestern United States. As a youngster, she sought God often, and her personal relationship with Him became very important to her. Because Mary Jo wanted to be ready in case God called her to the mission field, she studied to become a Registered Nurse at Northwest Nazarene University. After nurses training, Mary Jo followed her brother, Bill, to Quincy, Massachusetts. His new wife, Eunice, had gotten a professorship at Eastern Nazarene College. Mary Jo landed a job at the Veteran’s Hospital’s tuberculosis unit, in Boston. This experience caused Mary Jo to be very careful with her hand washing and cleanliness. She also worked for a time in the neonatal unit where she got to help with the birth of her first niece, Estelle. One day, Mary Jo was lamenting to her downstairs neighbor, Em Soulia, that she had no prospects for a husband. Em mentioned that she had a single uncle. Mary Jo persuaded her to introduce them via letter. So, Earl and Mary Jo began writing back and forth. They also exchanged pictures. Earl couldn’t get away often because he had a dairy farm to run, but he came to visit her in Quincy once and she went to visit him in Broadalbin, New York once. Then on November 8, 1958 they were married at the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene in Quincy. Earl and Mary Jo lived on the farm in Broadalbin. Once she adjusted to farm life, she enjoyed it. Mary Jo was happy to grow roots and stay put on the farm the rest of her life. Daughter Katrina lived with and cared for her at home for the last six years as she battled Alzheimer’s. When Mary Jo first arrived in Broadalbin, she was a nurse to the late Mr. Chalmers. She was an occasional substitute nurse at the school and at camp. Children soon arrived. Mary Jo took her child rearing seriously, teaching the children to cook, sew, garden, do puppetry, know their manners, and especially to know about God. For many years, she led an amazing children’s church session complete with puppets, magic tricks, music, and object lessons, all to teach the children the Gospel. She spent lots of time talking with her children, taking them to youth activities and camp. The wonderful smells of fresh baked bread or cookies just baked for the kids when they got off the bus were amazing and delicious. Earl and Mary Jo’s gardens were bountiful so they set up a table along side of the road to sell their extras. That went over well so they started planting vegetables to sell. Eventually they had many acres of sweet corn and other vegetables for their stand. Mary Jo started putting some of her baked goods out for sale. That was a hit, so they bought a commercial doughnut maker. Customer service and fresh donuts were a priority and the customers loved it. Earl and Mary Jo decided that they needed to expand inside so they converted their garage into a show room and turned the play room into a bakery. The health department said that they needed to wear hair nets, so they made bonnets and chef hats. The ladies wore prairie skirts to give an old fashioned feel. At one time, Mary Jo ran a restaurant out of her home. She also did some catering. With the dairy farm, vegetable gardens, and the bakery life was very busy but fulfilling. Planning parties and dinners was something that she thoroughly enjoyed. When she and Cora Albus got together, they loved to spread the cookbooks out all over the table and plan a marvelous feast. Doing amazing parties for the church youth group with great decorations, food, and fun games was something that she did well. Mary Jo enjoyed playing the piano and singing. Often she played and sang for the church. On the way home from church, she would get all of the kids singing. What a wonderful time that was! Being a very hospitable lady, she often welcomed people into her home. Mary Jo was a great listener and an excellent hostess. Mary Jo’s nursing skills came into play while caring for her family. She cared for her bed-ridden mother-in-law, Emma Springer, for six months. Over a ten year period she cared for her sister-in-law, Emily Merrit. Through those years, she modeled excellent care. Knowing that Alzheimer’s runs in her family, Mary Jo worked continually helping Annika with homework to keep her mind clear and active for as long as possible. Alzheimer’s began to run its course nine years ago but today she is free of its ravages and rejoicing in heaven with her heavenly Father and those who have gone on before. Her deepest heart’s desire was that her family and others would all have a personal relationship with God and be with her in heaven someday. Our life here on Earth is only a small blip compared to eternity so we must make it count for the ever after. She had a very full wonderful life that touched lots of other lives and fulfilled its purpose. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 10 – 11 am at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106 (Corner of Route 29 & Black Street) Johnstown followed by a service at 11 am with Rev. Mark Fowler, officiating. Burial will be in East Galway Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Johnstown Church of the Nazarene.

Mary Jo Springer

May 1, 1929 - May 15, 2016

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