Mary Jane McGinnis, homemaker, volunteer

Mary Jane McGinnis passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Born Feb. 19, 1932, in Baltimore, Md., to Austin E. and Ann Marie Baier Richards, Mary Jane, Janie, MJ, or Ma graduated from Eastern High School in Baltimore in 1950. She met her future husband, James D. McGinnis, and they married Aug. 25, 1951, and moved to Dover in 1952.

While her husband built a chain of convenience stores and got elected twice to the Delaware State House of Representatives, once to the Senate, and one term as Delaware lieutenant governor, Mary Jane was a homemaker to her two sons and one daughter. MJ was married for 57 years when Jim passed in February 2009.

MJ volunteered her time at Kent General Hospital, and other Dover-area clubs and organizations, and was active in the Dover Century Club for more than 43 years. 

Mary Jane is survived by her sons, Philip (Pamela) and James; her daughter, Donna (Daniel); her grandchildren, Kelly, Meredith, Sarah, Kate (Mary Elizabeth) and AJ (Andrew James); seven great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; two nephews, John Fetcho (Susan) and Mark Fetcho (Jennifer); a niece, Annemarie Hoffman (Jeffrey); and numerous great-nephews and -nieces. 

The family would like to thank the nurses at Kent General Hospital 2 North Intermediate Care for their thoughtful, attentive, and kind care. And a special thanks to Delaware Hospice for their gentle and considerate care at the end.

Instead of flowers, send contributions to Dover Century Club, P.O. Box 884, Dover, DE 19903-0884, or ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at noon, Wednesday, May 21, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State St., Dover.

Life End Services by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director Inc.