Mary Jane Laucaitis, 96, Enjoyed the Company of Her Family and Friends

Affectionately known as Aunt Bitsey by her family, she was born in Vermilion on April 2, 1926 and was a 1944 graduate of Vermilion High School. Following graduation and throughout her life she continued to maintain many of the friendships she had cultivated as a student there.

Mary Jane had been employed at the Smith and Gerhart Department Store in Lorain for many years; she later worked for the Hills Department Store also in Lorain.

She was a life-long member of the United Church of Christ in Vermilion and was also proud to have been acknowledged as a fifty-year member of Queen City Chapter # 66 of the Order of the Eastern Star.

In addition, she was formerly active with the auxiliaries of both Mullen-Murray VFW Post # 451 and Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans.

In her free time Mary Jane enjoyed the company of her family and friends the most. Additional interests included shopping and partaking in good food with a special fondness for spaghetti.

Aunt Bitsey is survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews whom she all adored.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jacob Adam Laucaitis in 2000, parents Fred G. and Hattie (nee Johnson) Fischer, sister Bernice Koachway, and brothers John W. Fischer and Fred G. Fischer, Jr.

Mary Jane’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Carolyn Joseph and her staff at the Kingston Residence of Vermilion for the love and wonderful care that was extended to their aunt during her residency there.

Funeral services will be conducted privately in Ridge Hill Memorial Park with Reverend Allison LeBrun, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church (Vermilion) presiding.

Contributions in Mary Jane’s memory are encouraged to either the Second Harvest Food Bank – 5510 Baumhart Rd., Lorain, OH 44053 or the Vermilion United Church of Christ Food Bank – 990 State St., Vermilion, OH 44089.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel. To share your memories and condolences with the Laucaitis Family, please visit www.gluvnashimohromada.com.