With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother Mary Jo (Smagala) Stieglitz known to many as MJ. She was 73.
Mary Jo was born in Detroit, MI to Jane and Raymond Smagala on September 2, 1951. The oldest of five children, her siblings: Linda, Ann, Raymond and Mark. Raised in Three Rivers, MI where she attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School through the 8th grade. MJ’s family owned and ran Smagala Grocery where she, her siblings and friends had a childhood full of responsibility, mischief and playful memories. MJ was a class of 1969 TRH Wildcat, as she would say “last of the good guys.”
She furthered her education at Western Michigan University where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Education in 1973. With this degree she landed her lifelong career at Nottawa Community School, where she was the 6th grade teacher for 30 years.
She met Guy Stieglitz after graduating high school and they fell in love and started their life together. They married on September 13, 1975. Their first few years of marriage were filled with many home renovations throughout St. Joe County. In 1977, she had her first daughter Emily, in 1979, her second daughter Tomi and in 1981, her third daughter Lana.
She dedicated her summers to traveling across the United States with us girls and dad, incorporating educational experiences into every destination we visited. In addition to family time, mom loved arts and crafts, history, reading, gardening and holistic well-being. She and Guy lived their summer weekends at Lake Michigan on their houseboat “Poco Loco.”
Upon retirement, Guy and she purchased the Stieglitz family home on the St. Joe River in Mottville, MI. For decades before them, family would gather at the “river house” enjoying the pool, the river views and late night parties where MJ enjoyed the sounds of people having fun. With Guy preceding her death, she would spend her winters in Long Beach, California living with Emily and Juan traveling the Pacific Coast.
She found her greatest fulfillment in the company of family. Her grandsons: Guy, Dean, Drew and John were her life and laughter whenever they were around.
She was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2021. She enjoyed the rest of her life residing on Fisher Lake with Tomi, Paul, Drew and John. Throughout her journey she was lovingly cared for by family and compassionate caretakers. Her daughters established a loving weekly routine of care which she often referred to as the “highlight of her week.”
On the 14th of December, Mary Jo passed peacefully and beautifully with Emily, Tomi, and Lana holding her hands. Her faith gave her comfort and peace as she prepared to enter heaven’s embrace surrounded by eternal love.
Thank you to all of MJ’s family and lifelong friends for your love, laughter and devotion. We know mom loved and appreciated you all so much.
Sha-lom Sha-lom,
Emily Stieglitz (Juan Arias), Tomi (Paul) Leverentz, Lana (Aaron) Topolski, Guy, Dean, Drew and JT.
Visitation and service will take place Sunday, December 29, 2024 at Hohner Funeral Home in Three Rivers, MI from 2pm-4pm with service starting at 4pm with Father Mathias. Procession to the Mottville Cemetery to follow.
Any donation you wish to honor in mom’s memory should be sent to The Susan Mast (ALS) Foundation which provided tremendous support and resources to mom during her battle with this life-altering disease.
Susan Mast ALS Foundation
2500 Waldorf Ct. NW
Suite B
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
https://www.susanmastals.org/donation/
Online condolences may be shared at www.hohnerfh.com.
This woman was one of the most kind, understanding and amazing educators I’ve ever known. She, without a doubt, had a significant impact so early in my life by encouraging me to be EVERYTHING that I am, no matter who liked it, and by helping me shape the best parts of who I chose to become .