Mary Jane Anderson, from Virginia Beach, VA, formerly from Minot, ND, and Cambridge, NY, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, died on 14 February, 2023, at her home at the age of 78, with family by her side.

Mary Jane Anderson was born on 12 February, 1945, the daughter of Alvin and Marietta (Hendrick) Brownell in Cambridge, New York.

Those who had the pleasure of knowing Mary Jane will remember her giving and humble spirit.  She wasn’t the person who sought to be the center of attention; she was the one making sure everyone had what they needed.  She wasn’t the one looking for recognition; she was the one supporting the dreams of others.  She wasn’t the one who spent much on herself; instead, she was the one who gave all that she had.  Mary Jane may have been the quiet one, but you knew she would never give up on you.  She also understood the importance of helping others and spent her life doing just that.   Mary Jane and her husband fostered more than 100 children while raising their own, knowing they had plenty of love to give.  They were recognized for their compassion and willingness to serve others as the Air Force Family of the Year in 1984.

Mary Jane was a devoted wife to her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Niels, who she married on 4 July, 1965.  She was a selfless mother and grandmother who never backed away from challenging situations.  Instead, she embraced her family and was always there for them.  She loved playing Yahtzee, gardening, traveling, listening to classic country music, baking, bird watching, and shooing away squirrels.

Mary Jane will be greatly missed but not forgotten.  She has left a legacy, and a piece of that legacy has been shared with those who knew her.  Someday we will see her again in the presence of Jesus.

Surviving family includes: Mary Jane is survived by her children Peter (Svetlana), Catherine (Jim), Angel, and Philip (Melissa); her grandchildren Michael (Giselle), Austin, Joey, Gaige (Kallie), Aiden, Karson, Reagan, Betty, Bridger, Christopher, Ruby, Louis, and Niels; and her great-granddaughter MaKenzie.  She is preceded in death by her husband Niels, her son Robert, her parents Alvin and Marietta, and her sister Janet.

A service Celebrating the Life of Mary Jane will be held on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) at Wave Church, Norfolk, Virginia.  For those who are unable to attend, the service can be viewed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86488541050?pwd=b3ZUY2NWS1NDQU5sbENORlE4c0doZz09

A Public Graveside Service will be held on Monday, 6 March 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (CT) at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, North Dakota.

Cremation Society of Virginia is assisting the family. Please visit www.vacremationsociety.com to share memories and offer condolences.