Mary Joanne “Mary Jo” Margaret Wooldridge, 76, of Darien, died peacefully Oct. 19, 2016, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer.
She was born July 21, 1940, in Superior to the late Joseph and Margaret Austin. She is survived by her husband, James Wooldridge, of Delavan, daughter Lisa Marie Wooldridge Weitz, of Delavan, and grandchildren Madison and Xavier Weitz, of Delavan.
Mary Jo’s career began as a medical technologist, earning her the prestigious role of “head of chemistry” at a well-known hospital in Minneapolis. An accomplished chorale singer as well, she enjoyed singing with multiple choral groups within the southeast Wisconsin area including her beloved Southern Lakes Masterpiece Chorale.
Mary Jo met the love of her life, James Wooldridge, in Milwaukee, and on Aug. 21, 1971, they were married. They later moved to Darien to raise their beloved baby daughter, Lisa Marie, and lived there until her death. Mary Jo began her home daycare career while Lisa Marie was still in preschool. Her love for children and innate talent for bringing out the very best in them was unparalleled. She ran her daycare for three decades, and countless residents in the Walworth County area still recount their happiest childhood memories at Mary Jo’s.
Mary Jo and James filled their time off with numerous vacations all across the country. Their most recent travel to Yellowstone National Park this summer with their young grandchildren was the most treasured of all. Mary Jo was a devout member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and in her later years worked at the parish school as the K-Club daycare coordinator.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. and funeral mass at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew Catholic Church with a lunch reception following the service at the Delavan Legion Hall.
Funeral arrangements have been provided by Betzer Funeral Home and St. Andrew Catholic Church.
