Mary Jane Ryan

Mary Jane Ryan, 88, of Polson, MT, passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at The Retreat, an assisted living community in Polson. Mary Jane was born to William 'Luke' and Minnie May Smith on December 9, 1921 in Stevensville, MT. At the age of 4, her family moved to Pablo where he mother home schooled her until she was in the 4th grade and at that point went to Pablo public school through the 8th grade. The family farm east of Pablo was sold and they moved to Polson where she completed high school. This was followed by her attending Butte Business College in 1941 until WWII broke out. She quit school in Butte and went to Seattle to be near her brothers who were in the service. In Seattle, she worked for a marine insurance company, and then she went on to work in Los Angeles and then to Bozeman, MT after the war. She later moved to Chicago where she met Art Ryan, a lawyer in Chicago. They dated about three years and were married in 1953. In 1956, Mary Jane went to work for The Seeburg Corporation, (makers of jukeboxes, vending machines, background music systems, etc.) where she was a loyal employee for 45 years and in 1996, Mary Jane retired and returned to Montana. Mary Jane's family and friends meant everything to her and she enjoyed traveling extensively with them. Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Allen and Leslie Smith. She is survived by a brother, Robert C. Smith, several nieces and nephews and several great friends. Graveside services will be held on Monday, November 15, 2010, 2:00 PM at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Ryan's family.
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