Mary Jane (Durkin) Rykovich, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday March, 21, 2018 at St. Anthony Hospital, Crown Point IN. She was born in Detroit, MI to Thomas and Marie (Owens) Durkin. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Julius Rykovich; her three brothers: James, Edward, and John Durkin; her sister Winifred Durkin, and two children; Robert Rykovich and Julie Ann (Rykovich) Hughes. She is survived by her sons, Thomas (Debbie) Rykovich DDS, and Richard (Debbie) Rykovich; her grandchildren: Aubrey (John) Lehman, Mark (Brittney) Rykovich, Brian Rykovich, Stephen Rykovich, Lauren (Matt) Blondell, Robert (Jennifer) Rykovich, Scott Rykovich and Conor Hughes, and four (soon to be six) great grandchildren, along with many nephews and nieces. Mary Jane grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Gary, IN where she graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1942. She attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1945. On January 27,1947 she married the love of her life, Julie, shortly after Illinois' stunning victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. They continued to reside in Gary, IN while her husband pursued his football career with the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and Washington Redskins. Mary Jane was a devoted wife and loving mother raising four children. After the death of her husband she became active in the Rykovich Insurance Agency and was a co-owner along with her sons Robert and Richard. She was active in the business community in Merrillville, and held various positions in business organizations. Mary Jane was proud of her Irish heritage and always made sure that her children were "Wearin' the Green" on St. Patrick's Day. Of our many memories with Mom, our trips to Ireland and meeting her relatives there will never be forgotten. Mary Jane was also an accomplished golfer and fisherman, and the family enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada and northern Minnesota growing up. A private memorial service will be scheduled in the future.

Published in The Times on Apr. 1, 2018