Muscatine with her father officiating.
Mary Jo was dedicated to community involvement. It took many forms, including her service as chair of the Cable Television Commission when cable was first established in Muscatine and as a board member of the Stanley Foundation, the Muscatine Art Center Support Foundation, the Muscatine Center for Social Action, and the University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization. Her deep commitment to justice, equality, and acceptance in Muscatine and beyond was given voice in many ways, notably including her deep involvement in the Muscatine Area Aids Coalition.
Mary Jo was a true partner to her husband, Dick, in his professional work, making much of what he accomplished possible. Together, they co-hosted conferences, meetings, and receptions for the Stanley Foundation, Stanley Consultants, the American Consulting Engineers Council, and many other organizations. Driven by their shared goal of making the world a better place, they often worked together to engage ambassadors, business leaders, scholars, and politicians.
Mary Jo had a tremendous love for the arts - theatre, dance, music, film, and fine art - and nurtured those interests with Dick. Over time, she and Dick became enthusiastic supporters and patrons of individual artists and of arts programs in Muscatine, at the University of Iowa, and elsewhere in the state.
Having grown up in the manse next door, Mary Jo was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Muscatine for nearly all of her life. Over the years she filled numerous roles, many more than once, including youth leader (together with Dick), Elder, Deacon, and member of pastoral search and support committees. Mary Jo had a gift for connecting with people and for helping people to connect with one another. Her warmth and distinctive laughter were fixtures at coffee hours, potlucks, retreats, and church camps. She served as a friend, mentor, and sounding board for generations of church members and clergy and was nurtured by the glow of her Lydia S Circle.
An only child, Mary Jo chose her own sisters, interweaving their families with her own. She loved spending time with her extended family up, down, and across the generations, but most particularly with her eight grandchildren. She was a great conversationalist and storyteller, enjoyed reading books with her young grandchildren, and always relished playing games. Mary Jo was an enthusiastic organizer of, and participant in, years of intergenerational family vacations at Wilderness Point in Nisswa, Minnesota, and at Highland Lodge in Greensboro, Vermont. She made certain the family calendar always included celebrations of birthdays, holidays, graduations, and other important events.
Survivors include her daughter, Lynne Stanley of Edina, Minnesota; son, Joe Stanley and daughter-in-law, Lori Zook-Stanley of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Nathan Elliott (Lisa Elliott), Samuel Kidder (Sylvia Kidder), Catherine Elliott, Rebecca Kidder, Elizabeth Elliott, Hannah Kidder, Sophia Zook-Stanley, and Isaac Zook-Stanley; and sister-in-law, Jane Stephenson.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard H. Stanley, on November 17, 2017; dear parents, Joseph and Gladys Kennedy; and cherished daughter, Sarah Catherine Stanley.