Mary Jane Bradford

Mary Jane Bradford lived a long and full life. From her humble beginnings on their farm in Schoolcraft, Michigan, she worked hard to earn an education, raise her family and enjoy the fruits of a good life. Mary Jane spent her life doing for others – whether it was at the workplace, in her home or through community activities, her thoughts were always for the needs of others. Her greatest triumph was found in her beloved family, who carry her love and lessons with them today.

The Stock Market crash would forever mark 1929 as the year the Great Depression began. More than that, however, it was also the year that Job C. Estes and his wife, Hattie (Timmerman), of Kalamazoo, Michigan, welcomed the birth of their only child, daughter Mary Jane, on January 9, 1929. Mary Jane grew up in a loving home, though their lives were harshly affected daily by the Great Depression. During this time, she learned valuable lessons from her parents of how to be frugal and to save. When she was 9, her parents moved them to a farm in Schoolcraft, which her father farmed for a living. It was here that Mary Jane fostered some of her fondest childhood memories with her horse, Dolly, which she loved to ride.

Mary Jane received her education in the Schoolcraft Public Schools. In addition to her studies, she also played basketball and the clarinet in high school and was involved with 4-H. After graduating from Schoolcraft High in 1946, Mary Jane went on to attend Michigan State University and graduated cum laude in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. During her college years, Mary Jane began dating Robert Bradford, who also grew up in Schoolcraft and his parents were friends of the family. The two fell in love and were married on September 30, 1950, at the Schoolcraft Methodist Church.

The newlyweds settled into married life together on a farm on West U Avenue. Besides working along side her husband on the farm, Mary Jane worked as a Medical Technologist at South Street Lab in Kalamazoo. However, when their first child was born, she left her job to devote herself to the role of a mother. Mary Jane and Bob were eventually blessed with six wonderful children: Thomas, Bill, Diane, Marcia, Doug and Andy. As a hard worker and dedicated mother, Mary Jane was an excellent example to her children. She was strict, yet loving, and taught them good habits and strong values that would guide them through their lives. Education was so important to Mary Jane that she encouraged all her children to pursue it and she was proud that all of her children graduated college. She instilled in all of her kids, in all of their endeavors, to do their best and giving up was never an option!

Although her family kept her busy, Mary Jane always found time to give back to her community. Over the years, she was actively involved in many organizations and devoted countless hours to volunteer activities. She helped out with Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at the Methodist church, and was involved with the local farm bureau chapter. During the 1970s, Mary Jane served as the community leader of the Schoolcraft 4-H, and it was her responsibility to oversee the local programs and projects, which included anything from cooking and sewing to raising livestock and woodworking. At some point, she also became involved with the 4-H program at the county level.

This was only the beginning of Mary Jane’s service to her community. One of her greatest passions was as an advocate of education, and as such, she wanted to make sure every child in any circumstance had the best opportunity to succeed. To make this possible, she was greatly involved with the PTA before serving on the Schoolcraft School Board for 16 years (1977 to 1993). One of her many quests was to make sure that schools were adequately preparing students for college and beyond.

When it came to her leisure time, Mary Jane found great tranquility tending to her flower and vegetable garden, or working in the kitchen, baking up one of her “out of this world” pies. Mary Jane didn’t just do things, however, she did them to perfection! This included the 57 wonderful years she spent with her beloved husband, Bob. In her quieter moments, she enjoyed reading just about anything, and was a big supporter of her local library. She instilled the joy of reading in her children as well, and when they were growing up, they visited the bookmobile weekly. Sadly, Mary Jane began experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer’s in 2004, and as her condition progressed, she moved to Tendercare of Kalamazoo in 2007, where she received the constant care she needed. It was here that Mary Jane died peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at the age of 79.

Mary Jane was a gifted and creative woman. Coming of age during difficult times provided her with a resourcefulness and virtue worthy of imitation. She had a generous spirit and loved to give of her time and talents. Her years of dedicated work afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. She will be deeply missed.

Learn more about Mary Jane, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Friday, April 25, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the funeral home. Members of Mary Jane’s family include her husband, Robert Bradford; 5 children: Tom and his wife, Sandra, Bradford, Diane and her husband, Dennis, Pound, Marcia and her husband, Mike, Strong, Doug and his wife, Debbie, Bradford and Andy and his wife, Kirsten, Bradford; 9 grandchildren: Jessica and Nathan Strong, Kimberly and Jay Pound, Lauren, Anna, Seth, Ryan and Kate Bradford; and many other friends. She follows in death her son, Bill. Please visit Mary Jane’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a favorite memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home.