"The first time I saw Mary Jo was at St. Bruno's Catholic School when our children, Ashley and Jake attended. She looked so stern however when she became Ashley's 4th grade teacher, OMG, what a sweet, loving and caring woman. Later, Ken and I, along with the Robertsons, Rogers, and Lacaris, worked with her on teaching Baptism Classes and even later the Marriage Classes. She became more than a teacher, she became our close friend. Unfortunarely, life gets in the way and seeing each other came less frequent but she never left our hearts or our prayers! We will miss you Mary Jo! We know that you are with our Blessed Mother and her son, Jesus, teaching all those little souls waiting to be born. The Hawkes' Family."
In loving memory of
Mary Jo Mehl
March 7, 1934 - December 27, 2013
Mary Jo Mehl. March 7, 1934 - December 27, 2013. Mary Jo was born in Louisville, Ky., the forth of eight children to William and Matilda (Bill and Till) Oberhausen. She attended St. Rita School in Okolona, Ky. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville. Mary Jo then entered the Ursuline Convent, professed as Sister Mary Avila. She taught school in South Carolina and Louisville. She left the Ursulines in 1965, with papal dispensation, and joined her family in California. She taught school at St. Thomas More parish in Alhambra and St. Bruno parish in Whittier. In 1967 she married Randall Mehl. They raised three children: Anthony (Tony,) Henry (Hank,) and Amy Isom. The defining gift of Mary Jo was her ability to connect with children, from new born on. If she came across any child in some distress, from slight fever to full blown tantrum; she need only pick him or her up and almost at oncepeacesmiles.
After retiring from St. Bruno, she helped raise several young children and tutored many. She gave freely of herself in service to the St. Bruno community, volunteering in many capacities. She is survived by her husband of forty six years, her three children, four grandchildren: Isabella Marie, Jack Randall, Chloe Jo, and Lola Carmen, and, her sister Mary Carmel DuMoulin, plus many nieces and nephews. We all love her and thank God for having put her on loan to us.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to: Another Way Autism Program 1365 South Waterman Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92408, or to: Vista Del Mar Autism Services 3200 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034.
The Vigil service will be held at White Emerson Mortuary on January 3, 2014 at 7:00pm, the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 4 at 10:30am at St. Bruno Church in Whittier and the Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Rowland Heights. White Emerson Mortuary Assisting 562-698-0304.
Tributes
"Sweet Tranquility Basket was purchased for the family of Mary Jo Mehl."
"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, FOR ADOPTING ME MOM AND GIVING ME THE BEST LIFE A SON COULD EVER HAVE, AND THE BEST MOM A SON COULD WANT! YOU ARE MISSED MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW! I LOVE YOU"