Mary Gerow Obituary

GEROW, Mary Jane Gillett, of Midlothian, passed away, peacefully, on October 23, 2023. She was 93. Mary Jane is survived by 12 children, Larry (Judy), Linda (Kris), David (Carroll), Diane, Mark (Jenny), Maryann (Arnie), Tom (Jean), Terry (Nelson), John (Monica), Chris (Jill), Craig (Tracey) and Robert; 28 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Clare William "Bill" Gerow; their daughter, Joanne; grandson, Loyd Dunlap; and son-in-law, Tommy Daniels.

Mary Jane was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on August 9, 1930, to parents Leo and Mary, along with siblings Anna Mae, Bob, and Ronnie (all deceased). She moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she later earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of Detroit. There, she courted her Physics lab partner, Clare Gerow. They married on August 31, 1951. They had their 13 children while they lived in Ames, Iowa: Wilmington, Delaware; and Tonawanda and Buffalo, New York. The family moved to Richmond in 1970. After raising 13 children, Mary Jane became a nurse in 1982 and worked until her retirement in 1993.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and active in her church, Church of the Epiphany. She dedicated many years to supporting her community through volunteering and working toward social justice and promoting non-violence. She was an avid traveler, loved to visit casinos with her bestie, Mary Munton, watch tennis and football, spend time with family and friends, and was known to always have a jigsaw puzzle on the table. There was no sweeter sound than Mary Jane humming while she worked. Her patience and kindness touched all who knew her. She is now at peace with her loving husband, Clare.

A funeral mass will be held at Church of the Epiphany in Midlothian, VA, on November 21 at 2 p.m.