"Dear Alan, I"m so sorry for your loss ( and mine). MaryJane was dear to me as she was a wonderful mentor to me for many years. I had the utmost respect for her and for all she did for me as student and a friend. She was strong role model as a leader and mentor. She was also caring and took care to get to know her students in her classes. I have many wonderful memories of being in school with her. But more so I enjoyed my time spent with your family watching the children and getting to know both of you. You have a wonderful family. I know you will miss her deeply and we will pray for you and the rest of the family in the coming months. May God's blessings be with you. Sincerely, Diane Wolf "
In loving memory of
Mary Jane Cameron
December 8, 1935 - January 11, 2022
Mary Jane Cameron, age 86, died on January 11, 2022 at Madonna Towers in Rochester, MN. She was born on December 8, 1935, the only child of Joseph and Kathryn (Grahek) Klun in Ely, MN. Both her parents were descended from Slovenian-Croatian immigrants who came to America between 1888-1900.
Mary Jane attended Washington Elementary school, followed by Ely Junior High school and Memorial High school, graduating in the top 10% of her class. She participated in speech, chorus, Thespians, and school plays. She was proud to play the roles of Aunt Jenny in "I Remember Momma" and the old woman in "The Slave with Two Faces" which took Honors at the State One Act Play contest in 1953.
She continued her education at Marquette University in Milwaukee before transferring to the University of Minnesota earning her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree with honors. In 1971, she returned to school and obtained a Master of Science degree while working in Microbiology and Immunology.
Mary Jane met Alan Cameron, a Mayo Clinic physician from England at a party and he proposed soon after. On May 18, 1968, she happily married the love of her life, Alan Cameron, at St. Anthony's Church in Ely, MN. The two of them had two children, Douglas and Kathryn. She was a very hard worker throughout her career, working at St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul Regional Blood Center, the U of MN in laboratory medicine as a staff technician and assistant professor, Mayo Clinic as a technologist in Allergy and Immunology, and also at Rochester Community and Technical College teaching the Medical Laboratory Technician program and following through with the program accreditation process. She was a very conscientious, kind, hardworking individual who could see what tasks needed to be done, organize them, and see them through to completion. Mary Jane was the founder and chairperson of the Minnesota Medical Technologists Association with 700 members. She had an annual meeting of 120 members of this association which she organized at the Kahler Hotel every spring.
Mary Jane and Alan enjoyed traveling and visiting Slovenia to see her family tomb stone there. They often made the 300+ mile drive to visit Mary Jane's parents who ran a tavern in Ely.
Aside from working in healthcare, Mary Jane's hobbies included being active in church, Adult Faith Formation, scripture study, and was commissioned as a Lay Minister for the Diocese of Winona in 2009. She was a member of The Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester. She also enjoyed ladies' fashion and loved getting together with friends to try on the clothing from Doncaster and Tanner, a line she sold from 1983-2000 after retiring from teaching.
Mary Jane wrote "Thanks to those who came before me for their contribution toward my life and making it meaningful. I am in your debt and grateful to you. Thanks to my wonderful husband and children whose love was always forthcoming. Thanks to Nick and Rhett to be their grandma."
Mary Jane is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Alan; her children, Douglas (Carrie) Cameron and Kathryn Cameron; and her grandchildren, Nicholas and Rhett.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Monday, January 17, 2022 at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church (1600 11th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904). Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, MN.
Memorials may be made to Diocese of Winona, institute of Lay Ministry; Church of Resurrection, adult Faith Formation; Food for the Poor Charity; or St Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Cameron family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Thank you for sharing Mary Jane with us at Madonna. She was a beacon of light that was lit from her soul and her faith and her love of family. Her light shone to those she met along life's journey. Sandy Molenda Madonna Foundation"
"My deepest sympathy to the Cameron family. I got to know Mary Jane by working with her at Resurrection and was a classmate of hers at the Institute. She was such a warm, kind, and thoughtful person! I will always cherish my memories of her. May she find eternal rest in the arms of our loving Lord."
"My sympathy to the Cameron family. Mary Jane was a classmate of mine in the Lay Ministry program thru the Winona Diocese. She was a very kind, caring and intelligent person. I enjoyed spending time visiting with her. She was very soft spoken but had a great sense of humor. She will be sadly missed by all her were lucky enough to have known her . When she meets our Heavenly Father, I just know He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!""
"Alan, I'm so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the many years of helping Mary Jane with her clothing alterations and the Doncaster clients . She was so sweet and care. I'm currently on holiday in Arizona and won't be able to attend the service. My thoughts are prayers will be with you and your family. Carolyn Sewing by Carolyn "
"Dear Alan: I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May the many beautiful memories you have of Mary Jane get you through the difficult days ahead. I am so sorry I will not be able to attend the service on January 17th since I have patient assignments the whole day. We will keep you and the family in our prayers. Take care and stay safe Patrick Kamath"
"Mrs. Cameron was my instructor in the MLT program at RCTC. She set high standards but she was always kind and caring. My sincere sympathy to your family. "