Mary “Mary Jo” Baxter of Marion, Ohio, was a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother during her 79 years of life. She passed away on Sunday, December 26th, 2021. She shared a wonderful life with Gary Baxter during their 58 years of marriage, falling in love at first sight and marrying after just three months. Mary Jo lived for her family: her daughters, Kimberly Baxter, and Heather Pfeiffer; son-in-law, Jamie Pfeiffer; her grandchildren, Brooklyn Conroy, Dane Conroy, and Andrew and Michelle Pfeiffer, who are expecting their first child, bringing great joy to Mary Jo as she awaited the arrival of her first great-grandchild.
Mary Jo was the first child of Carl Fondale and Lewella Robb. She grew up in Junction City, Ohio, and had fond memories of helping her dad with chores on the family farm. She was blessed to have her Grandpa, Joe Fondale’s farm just around the corner, where the family often gathered together. Mary Jo also had a special bond with her grandma and grandpa Robb, spending time with them in the summers. She was a loving daughter and compassionate older sister to her four younger siblings, John, Carl “Ed”, Michael “Mick”, and Nancy. Her family remembers her as a “mother hen”, doting on her siblings and cousins. Mary Jo was an exceptional person with many talents. She was a lover of history and an avid reader. She could play any instrument she picked up, often speaking of her time as a majorette and performances in school plays. She was an active member of the FHA, which led to a lifelong love of sewing and quilting. She was devoted to her faith, speaking fondly of her confirmation, and serving as May Queen at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Her faith developed into an enduring outpouring of love for others and endless hours of volunteer work for her community. Mary Jo Baxter leaves behind a legacy of selfless love and compassion. She instilled these values in her family and inspired others to follow her example. She was a friend to everyone and never knew a stranger, forming deep connections with all she met.
The family has invited Mary Jo’s loved ones and friends to pay their respects at the Boyd Funeral Home from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., held at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Junction City, Ohio. There will be an interment service immediately after at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. To continue Mary Jo’s legacy of caring for others, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society at 342 N. Main St., Marion, Ohio, 43302 in her memory.
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