Mary Jane Pflanz Kohlbrenner
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Mary Jane (Pflanz) Kohlbrenner, 83, passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022 peacefully at Rome Health with her children at her side.
She was born in Utica on February 21, 1938 to the late Elmer and Velva Pflanz. She attended Whitesboro Central Schools and Mohawk Valley Community College.
Mary Jane was united in marriage on September 24, 1955 to Robert W. Kohlbrenner. Robert went to be with the Lord on March 9, 2007. While raising their four children, Mary Jane was a stay at home mother and later worked at House of Fabrics. She was the Village of Yorkville Historian for many years, a 50-year member of the Yorkville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and a member of the Utica American Legion Post 229 Auxiliary. Mary Jane was a woman of many passions who loved to decorate cakes and was a master seamstress.
She lived most of her life in Yorkville and after selling the family home, moved to senior housing in New Hartford. Most recently, Mary Jane resided at Bethany Gardens in Rome. Wherever she was, Mary Jane used her love of sewing to make gifts for friends, family, and staff, even becoming the "mother" to some, mending their torn garments. During the COVID pandemic, Mary Jane made and donated several hundred cloth face masks as well as surgical hats.
Mary Jane leaves behind her children: daughter, Marianne and her husband Daniel Baker of Whitesboro, son, Mark and his wife Laurie of Rome, son, Timothy and partner Hilary McManus of Syracuse, daughter, Ann Marie Kohlbrenner of Yorkville; daughter-in-law Donna Seguin of Texas; grandchildren, James Baker (fianc?, Meaghan Halliday) of Rome, Kylie (Timothy) Visser of East Syracuse, Gabhriel (Brian) Griffin of Rome, Robert (Tinara) Kohlbrenner of Rome, Jerra (Alicia) Loomis of Manlius, Joshua Kohlbrenner of Syracuse; great-grandchildren, Brody, Adalynn, and Lincoln Visser, Liliana Kivo and Elara Loomis; a sister, Margaret (Wiley) Jones of Marcy and many nieces, nephews, and special friends. She was predeceased by her brothers, Elmer and Robert Pflanz.
The family would like to acknowledge Mary Jane's many friends at New Hartford Square and the Meadows, as well as thank the staff at Rome Health on 2 North, Continuum of Care Department, and Dr. Ravi, for their care and compassion and making her last days comfortable.
We also would like to thank the staff at Bethany Gardens for their amazing care and making it her home.
In lieu of flowers, Mary Jane requested donations be made to: The Yorkville Fire & Hose Company or to Bethany Gardens Activities Department.
Due to the COVID pandemic a private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Saint Stanislaus and Saint Casimir cemetery in Whitestown this spring.
For online expressions of sympathy please visit www.dimblebyfh.com