OAKLAND and OLD TOWN – Mary Jo Grant, 54, lost her long but courageous battle with breast cancer on Feb. 1, 2004, at Maine General Hospital in Waterville. Her determination, sparkling personality, positive outlook and generosity of spirit were a true inspiration to all of those whose lives she touched. She was born Dec. 7, 1949, in Old Town, to Joe and Betty (Morrison) Clark. Mary Jo was a graduate of Old Town High School, Class of 1968, and attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle. On Feb. 7, 1970, she married Michael Grant in Old Town. This was only one more step in their relationship, which began as friend’s at the age of 12 and grew and matured for the many years following. They lived in Waterville, from 1973-1977, where she was a social worker in the KVCAP program. In 1978, they moved to Dyer, Ind., where she worked as a pre-school teachers aide. In 1984, Mary Jo, Mike and their daughters relocated to Sandy Hook, Conn., and lived there for 11 years. During this time MJ continued her life-long love affair with children, working as a teachers aide at the Middle Gate Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. MJ and Mike settled back into their “home state” of Maine in 1995, living in Oakland. Having made friends in all their various stopping points, Mary Jo nurtured those relationships with a steady stream of thoughtful cards, well-timed phone calls and return visits. She strongly believed that “to make true friends, you have to be one.” Mary Jo was active in various clubs and charitable organizations, including the Waterville Area Newcomers Club, the Maine Children’s Home, Hospice Volunteers of Waterville, the Maine General Hospital Auxiliary, the Waterville Area Literacy Volunteers, the Sacred Heart Church Soup Kitchen, and the Steering Committee for the rebuilding of the Oakland Public Library. MJ attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterville. She was involved with several breast cancer support groups and fundraising activities, providing a role model and guiding hand for many other women and their families. In turn, she was particularly grateful for the kind support and deep compassion of the Medical Oncology Department, the 3rd Floor North staff, and many others at Maine General Hospital in Waterville. MJ was particularly fond of her “Ya-Yas,” a group of lifelong girlfriends whose mutual love and support helped to sustain her through the numerous ups and downs of her recent years. Mary Jo was predeceased by her father and mother, Joe and Betty Clark of Milford; her father-in-law, Larry Grant of Old Town; and brother-in-law, Tim Grant of Boston, Mass. She is survived by her husband, Michael, of Oakland; their daughter, Jill O’Neil and husband, Tom, of North Branford, Conn.; their daughter, Jaime Grant and companion, Cody Yergert, of Waterville; four especially beloved grandchildren (Finnegan Grant, Thomas O’Neil, Timothy Grant and Kylie O’Neil); her sister, Missy Harris and husband, Deane, of Old Town; her mother-in-law, Juliette Grant of Old Town; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday at Holy Family Church, Old Town. Immediately following the service all are invited to the Holy Family Parish Center for continued fellowship and a light luncheon. Spring interment will be at the Milford Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mary Jo’s name to The Maine Children’s Home, Silver St., Waterville, ME or the Bancroft NeuroHealth Preschool, Silver St., Waterville, ME. www.dignitymemorial.com
MARY JO ‘MJ’ CLARK GRANT
