Mary Jo Creen departed this life quietly in her sleep on October 26th, 2006 at 2:00 am at her home. Her death was unexpected and a shock to her entire family especially her husband Jeffrey and son James. Her death came just a week after she was in Albany, NY visiting her sister and eleven hours after she returned from St. Louis, MO on a shopping and gambling trip. The official cause of death was determined to be the result of a heart attack. She was only fifty-two years old.
Mary Jo was the youngest child of Morris Griswold and Irene Britton, both of whom preceded her in death. She has an older sister, Carol and an older brother Mic, both of whom survived her. She was also survived by her Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law, LeRoy & Shirley Leaverton along with all her nephews, nieces and brother & sister-in-laws. Her Aunt Viola and Aunt Eva also survive.
Mary Jo was the Assistant Manager of Fort Madison Fast Break. She had been on vacation from Fast Break for much of the month of October. On the evening of October 25th, she had commented on how sad she was that her vacation was over and that she would have to return to work the next morning. She passed away that night and never had to return to work.
Mary Jo was an avid bingo player. She would play bingo Monday nights at the VFW, Wednesday nights at The Moose, and finally Friday nights at The LULAC Club. She also assisted her "Bingo Buddy" Irene with serving food down at the LULAC kitchen on Friday nights before Bingo would begin. On her and her husband's days off from work, they would travel by car to either St. Louis, MO or Davenport, IA and stay at the casinos and play the slot machines. While many people have encountered gambling problems, Mary Jo practiced the philosophy of never playing anymore money than she was willing to lose. She was also well loved by the casinos, and was sent many complimentary hotel rooms and meals by both Harrah's in St. Louis and Isle of Capri in Davenport. She was a diamond card member of Harrah's, which she was very proud of.
Mary Jo was a very devout Catholic. Her faith never waivered in the hardships she faced in life. Even towards the end of her life when her work schedule prevented her from attending mass, she never lost the faith.
Mary Jo also loved animals. During her lifetime, she had a large assortment of pets, including her special little Scottie dog, Sissy, whom she thought of as a daughter. At the time of her death she left four cats; Rattie, Fattie, Pookie, and New Kitty, along with two red-slider turtles, who were un-named.
Mary Jo was buried on October 31, 2006 in Sacred Heart Cemetery with the rites of Christian Burial performed by Fr. Richmond of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Chaplet of Divine Mercy was recited the night before. Her family thought it was appropriate that she be buried with the ashes of Sissy at the foot of her casket. Now Mother and Daughter sleep together in death as they had done in life.
Mary Jo Creen departed this life quietly in her sleep on October 26th, 2006 at 2:00 am at her home. Her death was unexpected and a shock to her entire family especially her husband Jeffrey and son James. Her death came just a week after she was in Albany, NY visiting her sister and eleven hours after she returned from St. Louis, MO on a shopping and gambling trip. The official cause of death was determined to be the result of a heart attack. She was only fifty-two years old.
Mary Jo was the youngest child of Morris Griswold and Irene Britton, both of whom preceded her in death. She has an older sister, Carol and an older brother Mic, both of whom survived her. She was also survived by her Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law, LeRoy & Shirley Leaverton along with all her nephews, nieces and brother & sister-in-laws. Her Aunt Viola and Aunt Eva also survive.
Mary Jo was the Assistant Manager of Fort Madison Fast Break. She had been on vacation from Fast Break for much of the month of October. On the evening of October 25th, she had commented on how sad she was that her vacation was over and that she would have to return to work the next morning. She passed away that night and never had to return to work.
Mary Jo was an avid bingo player. She would play bingo Monday nights at the VFW, Wednesday nights at The Moose, and finally Friday nights at The LULAC Club. She also assisted her "Bingo Buddy" Irene with serving food down at the LULAC kitchen on Friday nights before Bingo would begin. On her and her husband's days off from work, they would travel by car to either St. Louis, MO or Davenport, IA and stay at the casinos and play the slot machines. While many people have encountered gambling problems, Mary Jo practiced the philosophy of never playing anymore money than she was willing to lose. She was also well loved by the casinos, and was sent many complimentary hotel rooms and meals by both Harrah's in St. Louis and Isle of Capri in Davenport. She was a diamond card member of Harrah's, which she was very proud of.
Mary Jo was a very devout Catholic. Her faith never waivered in the hardships she faced in life. Even towards the end of her life when her work schedule prevented her from attending mass, she never lost the faith.
Mary Jo also loved animals. During her lifetime, she had a large assortment of pets, including her special little Scottie dog, Sissy, whom she thought of as a daughter. At the time of her death she left four cats; Rattie, Fattie, Pookie, and New Kitty, along with two red-slider turtles, who were un-named.
Mary Jo was buried on October 31, 2006 in Sacred Heart Cemetery with the rites of Christian Burial performed by Fr. Richmond of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Chaplet of Divine Mercy was recited the night before. Her family thought it was appropriate that she be buried with the ashes of Sissy at the foot of her casket. Now Mother and Daughter sleep together in death as they had done in life.
