Support MJ's Last Wishes

Hi, I'm Chris. My sister Karyn and I have been caring for our mom, MJ, nearly every day over the past year. Unfortunately she passed away on July 12th, from heart failure.

In accordance with her wishes we are planning to spread her ashes in Minnesota, where her family had a cabin for nearly 100 years. She had no retirement fund or life savings, and the rest has gone to paying medical bills. So we're hoping to raise some funds to make the trip with our families in August. Any amount you can give will help.

More about our mom:

Mary Jayne, or MJ as she preferred to be called, loved learning. She held multiple master’s degrees, was an avid reader, and regularly consulted her home library for answers to all of life’s questions. From early life, MJ enjoyed learning about the world and spending time in nature. In summer she would swim, boat, fish, and explore close to her family’s beloved cabin in Minnesota. After college, she moved to Guam for many years where she went scuba diving among shipwrecks, explored other pacific islands, and loved South Pacific and Japanese culture. Her second home was always the ocean. She had a deep love for all living things - from her beloved pets to supporting wildlife and conservation efforts.

To say MJ was a decent human being is an understatement, and she was often underestimated. She was a force of nature - fiercely loyal to those she cared for, and a tireless advocate for those in need of medical and psychological attention, as well as wildlife, the environment, and those less fortunate. She was a lifelong advocate for civil and women’s rights, even marching with Martin Luther King Jr.. She encouraged her children to pursue their passions, in academics and the arts, and instilled in them her humor, creativity, curiosity, and love of the natural world.

‍In her last few months, while at home, with her books, her music, her adventures, and her loving family, MJ would occasionally wake from a dream, one where she was packing for a trip. Now she has embarked on her next great adventure. She will be sorely missed.

Thank you,

Chris, Karyn (& MJ)