Mary Jane Mottern

Mary Jane Mottern, 101, formerly of Punxsutawney and Sprankle Mills, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2022, at Christ the King Manor. 

She was born August 28, 1921, the daughter of late Marion Ray Mottern and Laura Mae (Zimmerman) Mottern.

Pee Wee, as she was commonly called by those who loved her, was a sharp dresser with a great sense of humor and radiant smile that could brighten anyone’s day. She spent most of her life taking care of her family including her grandchildren, who she adored. Talented in the kitchen, Mary Jane had an affinity for cow tongue, hot lettuce, Groundhog cookies, and old timey suppers (preferably well salted with homemade gravy). Her sweet tooth was insatiable especially for chocolate covered nuts and ice cream. In her 101 years, she shared her love and stories of growing up on her family farm in Sprankle Mills. Pee Wee grew up riding work horses, feeding cows and chickens, canning, making lard, and walking to the one room schoolhouse with her classmates. Life’s journey may not have taken her far from her birthplace but the care and love she gave to others spread from California to Texas, to Florida and to South Carolina.  A life well-lived by an exceptionally special lady. Pee Wee’s daily questions about the weather and supper will be dearly missed but her love will always resonate.

She is survived by her daughter Ren’ee (Mottern) Cushing and husband Phillip of Punxsutawney. Grandchildren Trevar Cushing and Thera (Cushing) Henderson and husband Chris Henderson of Florida, and a great granddaughter Delany Jane Henderson. Jeffrey Alan Wisniewski and wife Patricia; great nephews and nieces,  Richard Rock Stanford, Steven Stanford, Barbara Martz, Bridgette Stanford, Carol Wisniewski, Vicki Wisniewski, Tom Mottern and wife Cindy, Randy Mottern, Cathleen Mottern (Bianco), and Cindy Mayes Skinner.

She is proceeded in death by her parents and siblings, Dorothy (Mottern) Stanford, Joseph Mottern, and William Mottern; nephews, Mike Mottern and Richard “Dick” Stanford. 

Friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mary Jane Mottern, to Lisa’s Ladybug Patient Care Fund, P.O. Box 692, Punxsutawney, PA 15767.

Online tributes may be made at www.shumakerfh.com

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