Mary Jane Ulrey, age 70, passed away on August 13, 2022, in her loving home from natural causes. At her time of passing, she was accompanied by her granddaughter Jessica Ritter, great-granddaughter Amaya Knoop, as well as a family friend.
Mary was such a diligent daughter, loving mother and “Nana.” Born in Breese, Illinois she would likely call Centralia, Illinois her home. She graduated High School in Centralia, becoming a nursing aid before she moved to Texas, and promptly made nursing a career for nearly 30 years. She found her passion in that field. God, family, and nursing were the most important things to her in life and certainly she retains those values after. She would often watch Days of Our Lives and Golden Girls having watched both for decades. She was an avid fan of Gaither Vocal Band and Conway Twitty. She spent much time playing with her granddaughter every chance she got. A bit of a jester she would always do what she could to lighten the mood and make people laugh, teasing and joking anytime she had the opportunity.
Mary, an honorary “Golden Girl,” joined the afterlife with her late husband Private First Class, Raymond Leroy Bonner Jr.; her parents Marjorie Ulrey and Graydon Ulrey; her aunt Juanita McNary; her grandparents Gould Ulrey, Nellie Ulrey, Warren Swope, and France Shanks, and her sibling Steve Ulrey.
She is survived by her daughter Marjorie Bonner; grandchildren Mary Beth Ritter, Jessica Leanne Ritter, Michael Anthony Ritter, and Kayla Louise Monroe; and great-grandchildren Shanley Colt Peters, Kortlan Jaksun Felder, and Amaya Grace Knoop; her siblings Bill Ulrey and Bob Ulrey; four nieces, two nephews and several great nieces and nephews along with many other loved ones and friends.
This world has lost such an amazing woman and friend, the light she brought to this world will never be replaced but will always be remembered, forever, always.
Thank you for being a friend.
Prayers to the whole family!
Oh Momma I love you so much. You were the best Mom ever created. You never gave up on me. I don’t know how I will ever go on. I hope Heaven is everything you dreamed of and more. Fly High my beautiful Angel.
I am devastated Nana, I am trying to tell you I am devastated! I will miss you more than anything in the entire world, thank you for being the most amazing nana in the entire world. You helped me achieve so many of my dreams including going to Japan, I will never forget you and if I could ever be half the woman you were I will consider my life complete. See you at supper time!
Mary was a wonderful Nana to her grandkids. I shared many laughs with her through the years. She will be missed by so many.
I remember the last thing she told me was to save her spot so she can work when she got better. Now she is watching over us in heaven. I love you mom. Marjorie my continued prayers are with you and your family.
It was great joy to have met you, I wish I could seen you & Marjie more often. I just know that you are up there with God & watching over your loved ones. RIP
I have never met someone so full of life and a real fighter. Even if she liked poking fun at me, she always knew how to make someone laugh even at their lowest. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Thank you for the laughs and making me feel as if I am the part of the family. Enjoy the cheesecake and talking about all those memories.
Hey Nana it’s Roo I love you and I will miss you. I made the percussion team.
Hey nana happy heavenly birthday
A month ago today you touched God’s face.
I know you are in a better place but it is still hard some days. I think we are all still in somewhat of a shock but we are sticking together. Thank you for giving me your name as a forever keepsake. . I still don’t understand it but
I love you nana, and by the way….. I still miss you. ❤