CADILLAC — Mary Jo Gullekson, of Cadillac, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. She was 56. Mary Jo was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Grosse Pointe, to Felix Peter “Phil” and Mary Margaret (VanTiem) Ugorowski.

Mary Jo received her Bachelor of Science degree from Oakland University.

She worked as a licensed veterinarian technician at Clarke-Everett Cat and Dog Hospital in Traverse City for 22 years until retiring to become a stay-at-home mom and grandma to her grandson, Desmond.

Mary Jo was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed shopping dates with her sisters-in-law, Linda and Cathy. Mary Jo took pride in being thrifty and was charitable, always thinking of others. She enjoyed reading, animals, traveling, camping, decorating and gardening.

Mary Jo was a longtime member of the Catholic Church.

On Sept. 21, 1985, in Saint Clair Shores, Mary Jo married Lynn Basil Gullekson, and he survives her along with their daughters, Kelly Gullekson, of Grand Rapids, and Jill Gullekson, of Maryland; a grandson, Desmond; her mother, Mary M. Ugorowski, of Saint Clair Shores; a brother, Philip Ugorowski, of Kansas; sisters-in-law, Linda (Rex) Harley, of Lake City, Cathy (George) Cochrane, of Lake City, and Deb Podbilski, of Cadillac; and many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Phil; and father and mother-in-law, Basil and Corrine Gullekson.