Mary Margaret Jenkins Major
December 18, 1939 - March 24, 2021
Resident of San Jose
Mary died peacefully at home, after battling several long-term health conditions, surrounded by her family on March 24, 2021. Mary was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana and met her future husband, David, there in 1959. They were married in 1961. Mary graduated from Ball State Teacher's College in 1962, after which they moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. There, Mary taught high school in Adams, MA. Subsequently, they moved to Syracuse, N.Y. where she again taught high school. In 1964, they moved to San Jose, CA., where Mary taught at Heald Business College until their first son, Tom, was born. Mary then retired from teaching to become a full-time mom. When Tom and his younger brother, John, became Cub Scouts, Mary became their Den Mother. When the boys played Little League, she served as the head scorekeeper and newsletter editor. She was a constant presence at all of their sports and school activities. Mary delighted in planning out summer vacation driving trips to include geographical and historical places the boys had studied in school. After David retired, they went on many cruises with friends and family and visited places all over the world. Mary was a long-time bridge player. She organized the Cambrian Park bridge group for eight years at Cambrian Park United Methodist Church, until the COVID restrictions forced a temporary cessation. Mary always had a ballgame on the radio or tv and enjoyed going to Oakland A's games as a partial season ticket holder for many years. Mary was also born to be a grandmother, and she adored her four grandchildren. She always had time to read to them and rarely missed their sports and school activities. Mary is survived by her husband David, son Tom (Julia), grandchildren Allison and Andrew, son John (Jennifer), and grandchildren Joshua and Jacob. A celebration of life will be held toward the end of May.