Mary Jane Spannknebel, age 89, passed away peacefully June 29, 2021, at her daughter's home in Virginia Beach. She was born at home on January 10, 1932, in Croton-on-the-Hudson, New York, to Frederick and Veronica Metz. She married her husband, Alfred William Spannknebel, October 1, 1955, who preceded her in death in 2001. Mary Jane and Al moved from Westchester to Fishkill in 1960.
Mary Jane loved people and especially children. She graduated as a baby nurse from The New York Foundling Hospital in New York City and immediately went to work caring for little ones. She was a devoted mother who supported every school fundraiser, attended every concert and ball game, and tirelessly chauffeured her children and their friends around Dutchess County without complaint. Mary Jane was a mainstay at Brinkerhoff Elementary School, where she served as a lunch monitor for almost forty years. She was a dedicated employee of the former Little Angels Day Nursery in Wappingers Falls.
Caring for children was Mary Jane's passion and nothing fueled that passion more than her grandchildren. The day she found out she was going to be a grandmother, Mary Jane ran up and down the hallways of Brinkerhoff Elementary and announced the news to every teacher. She could hardly contain her pride and love for her grandchildren when sharing stories and photos with anyone who would listen. She loved being "Nana" more than any other role.
Mary Jane is survived by her sisters, Barbara Connelly, Donna Dileo, Barbara Ward, brothers Frank and Donald LaForgia and his wife Linda, Kenny Powers, her son and his companion Alfred William III and Ronald Davis of Walden, New York, daughter and her husband Mary Jane and William "Bill" Tompkins of Fishkill, New York, daughter and her husband Allison and Eric Peterson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and her beloved grandchildren Liam Tompkins, Julianna Tompkins, Daniel and his wife Rebecca "Becca" Peterson, and Matthew Peterson. She is also survived by her beloved cousin Denise Burns of Idaho and many nieces. Mary Jane is predeceased by her brothers Frederick Metz and Lucio LaForgia.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held July 6th, 10 am at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524. For online tributes, you can visit Mary Jane's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.