My Elder Life Story by Haley Gunn

Elder Life Story Document

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gunnhe1 — 2025-05-03 23:29:26 UTC

Mary Jane Norris was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 9, 1937.

Sister Time!

gunnhe1 — 2025-05-03 23:35:48 UTC

Mary Jane was one of four kids. She has two older siblings, Jack and Pat, and a younger sister, Betty! Mary Jane and Betty were super close as they were only born 18 months apart! The girls attended St. Augustine Academy in Lakewood, Ohio, an all-girls Catholic school!

Volunteering

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Mary Jane found a passion in serving others when she began to volunteer as a candy striper!

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Mary Jane graduated from St. Augustine Academy in 1956 at age 18!

The Start of a Fulfilling Career!

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Mary Jane found a true passion in helping people, so she decided to pursue a career in nursing! Mary Jane lost her dad at age 7 to kidney failure, so she decided to pursue a career as a dialysis nurse!

Compassionate Caregiver

gunnhe1 — 2025-05-04 00:44:01 UTC

During her career as a nurse, Mary Jane worked in various specialities including gerontology, pediatrics, dialysis, and hospice, caring for different types of people from all walks of life!

30th birthday party!

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Married

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Mary Jane met Joseph Vaughn through one of her dialysis patients who had passed, and the two were married in May of 1973!

My Family

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Together, Mary Jane and Joseph had Annmarie in January 1974 and Kimberly in October of the same year. One of the hardest struggles in Mary Jane's life was losing Kim at the young age of 24 when she passed away unexpectedly in her sleep.

The First Grandbaby

gunnhe1 — 2025-05-04 01:38:00 UTC

Mary Jane's oldest daughter, Annmarie, gave her the first grandbaby, Haley, in March of 2004. Everybody called Mary Jane "the baby whisperer"!

Another Granddaughter!

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In April of 2006, Annmarie gave Mary Jane another granddaughter, Hannah Kimberly. Mary Jane enjoys spending time with the two of them more than anything. She loves watching the young ladies they are becoming!

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After losing her husband and daughter, Kim, spending time with her daughter and granddaughters is what brings Mary Jane true joy.

80th Birthday

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Thank you letter

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Reflection

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