Mary Jane Delp

March 18, 1928 - January 15, 2022

Mary Jane (Gilmore) Delp was born March 18, 1928 to Frank J and Katherine Gilmore. She went to be with our Lord and Savior on January 15, 2022. Mary Jane joins her parents, her siblings, Jim (Peg) Gilmore, Jack (Barb) Gilmore, and Alice (Ralph) Amrhein, and former husband John J. Delp, in heaven. She is survived by her children, Kathleen (James) Higgins, Robyn Bonner, Brad Delp, and Cleves (Kathleen) Delp; grandchildren Kelly, Devon (Jenna), and Tanner (Tiffany) Higgins; Ashley (Tim) Dougher and Michaela (Zach) Boyce; Morgan, Sydney (JP) Gurnee, John Dugan, Maverick, Royce Winston, Davis, and Demetria Delp. She leaves behind great-grandchildren Jane Marie, Winnie, Titan, and Teegan Higgins, and Maxine Gurnee. Mary Jane attended St. Catherine of Sienna in West Toledo for elementary school and then Central Catholic High School, where she met her husband and graduated in 1946. She worked as a receptionist at Laurel Hill Swim and Tennis Club and later at the Mercy School of Nursing, where she was adored by the nursing students. She raised her four children in South Toledo, in the neighborhood of Beverly Hills. For her entire adult life, she was a dedicated parishioner of St. Patrick's of Heatherdowns. She was the biggest cheerleader for her children and grandchildren, especially when it came to their sports: soccer, baseball, football, tennis, basketball, and softball. She could often be found behind the dugout at the CYO Fields in her fold-up chair, with her bag of snacks - usually M&Ms and waters - for all to share. Her memory at sporting events will live on, as the tennis courts at Hillsdale College are named after her ("Mary Jane Delp Courts"). Grandma Jane is an inspiration to all who knew her. She quit smoking cold turkey on 7-7-07 after a lifelong addiction, and then went on to beat lung and bladder cancer. She was fiercely independent, and has instilled that in her grandchildren. Mary Jane proudly displayed photos of her family on her refrigerator and framed photos throughout her home. Her out-of-town grandchildren fondly remember her sloppy joes waiting for their arrival, and her family recalls her traditional chopped broccoli casserole at holiday meals. She loved to have the grandchildren over to her condo, where there was always rocky road ice cream and "Sparky Jane," her ceramic dog, to play with. She loved buying her children and grandchildren gifts and spending birthdays and holidays with her family. Recently, her family loved taking her to eat after church at the favorite weekend spots, like Firepit Grill in Holland and Charley's in Maumee. The church to which she most recently belonged was St. Joan of Arc, where Mary Jane donated the beautiful organ that is played at every Mass. Strong-willed, faith-filled, generous, and proud of her family is how most who knew Mary Jane would describe her. She was a joy to be around, whether she was singing her cute songs, reciting her funny poems, or cracking one-liners to family and friends. Her humor was infectious, and evoked the contagious laughter of her children and grandchildren whenever they were together. She spoke her mind with conviction, and we will miss that so much. We are thankful to the people at Elizabeth Scott and her dedicated home health aides who lovingly cared for her during her final years and months. The care and love you showed her is greatly appreciated. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at St. Joan of Arc Church, followed by the 11 a.m. Funeral Mass. The funeral mass will be livestreamed at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Parish YouTube channel . Entombment with be at Resurrection Cemetery. The Coyle Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please view her video tribute and leave a condolence message at CoyleFuneralHome.com. The family asks for donations to Central Catholic High School.