Mary Jane (Holland) Schmidt

Mary Jane Tringham Holland Rodewald Schmidt, 86, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died Saturday, April 23rd, 2016. A memorial service in Mary Jane's honor is planned for Saturday, May 21st at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids. The service will be at 11:00 am. Mary Jane was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 23rd, 1929, to Mary Evelyn (Kuck) and William Mario Tringham. At the age of 3, Mary Jane's mother married Louis Holland, who adopted her. The Hollands welcomed Mary Jane with open hearts into their family. They made Detroit, Michigan their home. The Hollands and their extended family spent every summer in their home on Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet, Michigan. Mary Jane often spoke of happy times at the lake with her cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. When Mary Jane was sixteen they made Watervliet their permanent residence. She attended Watervliet High School her junior and senior years. She was crowned "Miss Watervliet of 1947" by popular vote of the high school student body. When Mary Jane was 17 years old she met Elson E. Rodewald at a dance at Crystal Palace. Elson had returned from serving as a fighter pilot in World War ll. They married on November 15th, 1947 and made their home on Elson's family farm. Together they had five children. Education and intellectual growth were very important to Mary Jane. When her children were teenagers she enrolled in college and completed her Masters degree plus 30 hours. She attended Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude from both. Due to the influence of her beloved Aunt Francis, Mary Jane chose the profession of teaching. She was a special education elementary teacher for 24 years. In 1990, Mary Jane received the "Teacher of the Year" award for the Wyoming school district. She was extremely proud of this accomplishment. Mary Jane was a life long learner. She had a continual search for knowledge, insight, and growth. Those who knew her appreciated her intellect, humor, and wisdom. From 1973 through 1989 she was married to Dr. Russell Schmidt who shared her many interests. They made their home in Grand Rapids, MI. Mary Jane met her beloved companion, James Earle Canfield, in 1996. They shared a love of travel, global thinking and outreach. Together they established ANSWER, American Nepali Student and Women's Educational Relief, which to date, has provided for the education of over a thousand Nepali children. Mary Jane has traveled to Nepal, India, China, Japan, Europe, Greece, Turkey, Central America, Canada and Mexico. She also explored much of the United States. Mary Jane's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren brought her immense joy. She was so very proud of her family. "Biggie", as she was called, encouraged and supported education and travel. She paid for the grandchildren's books for college and airline tickets for international studies. She took them to the theatre, museums, zoo's, concerts, and on travel excursions with her. Mary Jane was a woman of the world and she encouraged her family to travel and experience other cultures. Even at the end of her life she remained the matriarch of her family, leading with dignity and grace. Mary Jane is survived by her brother, Laurence Edward (Sherry) Holland, her five children; Gary Elson (Wendy) Rodewald, Randall Edward (Sandra) Rodewald, Marilou (David) Balsis, Wendy Jane Rodewald, Eric Louis (Kathlynne) Rodewald, nine grandchildren; Megan Kathlynne Rodewald, Bailey Ann Rodewald, Nolan Elson Rodewald, Kelly Lynn Rodewald, Eric Michael (Jessica) Balsis, Alexia Jane (Gregory) Ripple, Andrea Elizabeth (Stephen) Godawa, Michael Robert (Lauren) Rodewald, and Andrew Elson (Samantha) Rodewald, and six great-grandchildren; Gabriella Jo Rodewald, Elliana Drew Rodewald, Amelia Kay Rodewald, William Michael Rodewald, Dawson Michael Balsis, and Dane Richard Ripple. Her dear friend and companion James Earle Canfield also survives her. Her sister Patricia Ann Jones preceded her in death. Memorial contributions in Mary Jane's name may be made to ANSWER, American Nepali Student and Women's Educational Relief, PO Box 68401, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49516.

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