Passed over peacefully at age 85 on August 2nd, 2025 with family at her side in Santa Cruz, California.

Mary Jane was born June 27th, 1940 in Coffeyville, Kansas to Ethel L. (Smith) and Lester H. Shrock.

She attended school in Kansas, Texas, and Ventura, California where she met and married the love of her life, Bob. They had two children, Peggy and Ron (1959 to 2016.)

Mary Jane and Bob lived a full and adventurous life together for 60 years plus a few weeks until Bob’s passing in 2017.

Highlights include: moving to Hawaii in the 1960’s, being on site from the ground up and throughout the 1992 Word’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee, zip-lining in Costa Rica at 70, hot-air ballooning over Napa, and climbing Machu Picchu.

Always Mary Jane was an enthusiastic wife and mom.

Great family memories include: camping trips, ski boats, and motorcycles. Mary Jane had her own Triumph Cub 250, gifted to her by Bob which she thoroughly enjoyed. (Bob had a Triumph Bonneville 650 gifted to him by MJ).

Mary Jane fully embraced homemaking, decorating in a fun, colorful style, and most of all cooking and entertaining friends and family. She loved sharing fine dining and fun entertainments. She had the brightest smile and the warmest welcome, and was famously, a good cook.

Mary Jane had a long and varied career, excelling as a medical receptionist, veterinary assistant, and X-ray technician.

But most-of-all, she loved waitressing, which she fully infused with her sunny nature and that great MJ smile. She had especially fond memories and special life-long friends at Jardine’s de San Juan, and continued to consider it among her happiest of places to celebrate, right up to the last days of her mobility.

The family’s time in Hawaii fostered a lasting aura of “Aloha” around MJ, and the moniker of “Tutu” by her grandchildren Crystal, Amber, and Nathan who brought her immeasurable joy, and whom she cherished beyond measure.

Retiring in Independence, Kansas, MJ got to spend time with her sister Pat and her brother John Shrock, and her many nieces and nephews, enjoying small town parades and big family pot-lucks.

Living in California again after Bob’s passing, Mary Jane “Tutu” had time to get to know her Great grandsons, River and Ronan, spending time in the garden, sharing the food and celebrations of holidays and birthdays, and just enjoying the sunshine while watching them play. The family feels extremely Blessed and grateful for the preciousness of that time.

Mary Jane truly cherished her pets, and cared for many over their long lifetimes, considering them family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Humane Society, SPCA, or Animal Shelter. Her beloved Shitzu, Bear approves.

Mary Jane is survived by:

Her daughter Peggy Sue Welch (Mo)

Granddaughter Crystal O’Rourke and great grandsons, River and Ronan

Granddaughter Amber O’Rourke (Stu)

Grandson Nathan Abaurrea (Sofia)

Brother John Shrock

Many dear nieces and nephews on both the Welch and Shrock sides.

Mary Jane was especially close to her niece, Sandi, who lived with the family for several years in Hawaii.

Mary Jane is pre-deceased by:

Son, Ron Welch

Husband Robert “Bob” Welch

Sister Pat Lagers

A Celebration of Life is planned for Summer of 2026