Mary Jo Stoyanovich

Mary Jo Stoyanovich, age 83, of Monroe Michigan, passed away Saturday, January 14th, 2023, at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital.
Mary Jo was born December 6th, 1939, in Monroe. She was the daughter of Michael and May Ann (Gamble) Colucci. She married George Stoyanovich November 12th, 1960, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Monroe; he preceded her in death on August 30th, 1999.
She was educated in Monroe, attended Saint Mary’s Catholic School, Saint Mary’s Academy, and Monroe High School from which she graduated in 1957.
Mary Jo was a dynamic member of the community, consistently involved with local organizations that benefited the city and residents of Monroe. As president of the Women’s Center at the Sawyer Homestead in the 1990’s she helped guide the organization in multiple improvements and many initiatives.
She was also a member of the Monroe Historical Society and had a deep and abiding love of history, especially of our region. Of note was her active involvement in the preparations for celebrating the Bicentennial of the Battle of the River Raisin.
Mary Jo also volunteered in several capacities for the City of Monroe. She donated costumes for many city parades and celebrations. She became a fixture at the City’s Christmas celebration where she portrayed Mrs. Claus at Loranger Square for many years. She was also a volunteer for the Beautify Monroe Project.
Since 2008 Mary Jo dedicated an increasing amount of her time to the River Raisin Centre for the Arts. She was well known for her designs of the ticket box at the Centre’s entrance. Her volunteer work and friendships at the Centre were both sources of great joy in her later years.
However, the paramount focus of her life was her family, particularly her three children. She tirelessly drove to music lessons, concerts, and football games. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for the welfare of her children.
Mary Jo is survived by her three children, Patrick (Elizabeth) Stoyanovich of Bainbridge Island, WA, Jana Kaiser of Monroe, and Michael (Jamina Tepley) Stoyanovich of Castro Valley, CA; a sister, Samantha Kachar of Fort Myers, FL; seven grandchildren including Antonia, Sophia, Alexandria, Sarah, Michael, Lina and Lidia; as well as two great grandchildren, Amelia and Jack.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Michael Colucci and Joseph J. Colucci.
A requiem Mass will be held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Monroe on Saturday March 4th, 2023, at 11am. There will be a visitation at the church for those wishing to pay their last respects at 10 am immediately preceding the mass.
The family suggests those wishing to donate in Mary Jo’s memory do so to the River Raisin Centre for the Arts.
Online condolences and special memories can be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com