Mary Jane Day

Mary Jane Day

November 18, 1964 - May 07, 2023

Send Flowers

Obituary


MIDDLETON - Mary Jane (Sanders) Day passed away on May 7, 2023, from pancreatic cancer. She was born in Janesville, Wis., on Nov. 18, 1964.


Mary graduated from Middleton High School in 1983 and earned degrees in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.


Mary loved her family, friends, co-workers and students. She was born to teach. She taught at St. Francis Xavier School, St. Maria Goretti School, Mount Horeb Middle School and Edgewood High School. Mary loved teaching, tutoring and helping kids find confidence and success both in and out of the classroom.


Mary is survived by her husband of 32 years, Joe; sons, Jackson and Lukas; sisters, Liz (Mike Duren) Sanders, Sarah (Mike McKinley) Sanders and Marge (Craig) Lorfeld; mother, Molly McDermott; honorary daughter, Lindsey Umberger; mother-in-law, Ramona Day; sisters-in-law, Donna Day and Barb Day; and brother-in-law, Vince Hellenbrand. Mary is also survived by six beloved nieces and nephews, Colleen (Ed Hartjes and daughter, Grace) Hellenbrand, Peter (Sharon and son, Mitchell Debish) Hellenbrand, Ben (Heather) Boyd, Joey (Shannon) Boyd, Becca Lorfeld and Matt Lorfeld. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Ted Sanders; father-in-law, Norm Day; and brother-in-law, Bill Boyd.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, with Father Bart Timmerman presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery.


Mary’s family would like to thank the staff at UW Hospital Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace HospiceCare. We extend our gratitude to our friends who have given their love and support to our family since her diagnosis. We appreciate the warm thoughts, prayers, meals, jokes, dog walks, cards, texts and calls that you shared with us to help us on our journey and for helping Mary in her mission to walk with courage, grace and humor.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, Second Harvest Food Bank or a charity of the donor's choice with much appreciation. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761



Events

15
Visitation
Mon May 15, 2023 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
Get Directions
16
Visitation
Tue May 16, 2023 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church • 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, WI 53717
Get Directions
16
Mass of Christian Burial
Tue May 16, 2023 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church • 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, WI 53717
Get Directions
16
Livestream
Tue May 16, 2023 @ 11:01 AM - 12:01 PM CDT
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church • 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, WI 53717
Get Directions

Photos

Add photos
of Mary
Memorial wall photoMemorial wall photoMemorial wall photoMemorial wall photoMemorial wall photoMemorial wall photo

Memories

Add a memory of
Mary
JL
Jim Hanson and Linda Lilledahl
Other •
With our sympathy and fondest memories of an awesome woman.
KP
Kelly Parker
Other •
Mary was only a part of my life for a little over a year when we taught together at Mt Horeb middle school. She made my transition to Mt Horeb so easy and was always so helpful and accommodating. Mary was such a welcoming person and a calming presence. We also had a lot of fun together!
JH
Jackie Hind
Other •
Remembering a great visit to North Carolina last May with Mary and Joe hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We cherish the time we had.
+ 1
A
Anonymous
Other •
You are in our thoughts Joe. Our sincere sympathies to you, Jackson and Luke.
CK
Cathy Kraemer
Other •
Mary was an amazing teacher and a favorite math tutor for our kids. She had such a kind spirit and was always willing to help. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all. The Kraemer Family
JW
Jennifer Wankerl
Other •
When I graduated from college my first job was at St. Francis Xavier school as the music teacher and Mary was teaching 6th grade. I was 22 years old and had zero teaching experience but my degree was in acting so I acted like a music teacher! I knew I had to learn fast and Mary was a GREAT role model. She taught with just the right amount of humor and no nonsense. The students adored her because she made them laugh and because she made them see how smart they are. I was assigned playground supervision every Monday with Mary and I remember hanging on her every word. Once, she received an invitation to an 8th grade boys birthday party at his pool. We laughed and laughed about what words she would choose to decline. She was so polished and so clever and so joyful and so kind. I'm working again at St. Francis now and when a new teacher joins the staff I often remember how welcoming Mary was to me and I try to be the same for them. How far reaching her influence has been and will continue to reach. What a beautiful soul. She was much loved.

Share memorial