Mary Jane Cleveland

Mary Jane (Dawson) Cleveland, 85, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2011, at home surrounded by her loving family and friends. "Granny" was born June 28, 1926, in Mt. Gilead, to Boyd and Iva Dawson. A lifelong Ohio resident, she was a graduate of Johnsville High School, class of 1944. She was a strong woman who was tirelessly devoted to her family. She enjoyed crafting, sunflowers, playing bingo, and attending the Ohio State Fair. Mary had a heartwarming nature that always uplifted those around her. Wise with words, she loved to tell stories of her life, especially from her younger days when she lived on her family's farm. Mary is preceded in death by her eldest child, Gary Cleveland, her brothers Raymond (Frieda) Dawson, Boyd Dawson Jr., and Walter Dawson, and grandsons Tony Cavote and William Hendricks. She is survived by her beloved daughters Cheryl (Rodger) Hearn, Diana (Larry) McCoy, Debra Sadler, Bonnie Meade, Kathy (Ray) Lilly, Belinda Bryner, Billie James, Frances Featherston, Carol Cleveland, and daughter-in-law Jo Cleveland, in addition to siblings Richard (Evagene) Dawson, Wayne Dawson, Doris Karns, and Betty Connell. Also a devoted grandmother, she is loved and remembered by many grandchildren and great grandchildren, many of whom she helped raise. Family will receive friends at Newcomer Northeast Chapel Funeral Home, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., from 2 - 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. A memorial service will be held the next day, Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 1 pm at the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow the service at Northlawn Memory Gardens. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Barbara Iacobucci, Anne Allenstein, and the other members of the Heartland Hospice team for the loving care and kindness that they showed to Mary over the past year. Their dedication to her will always be remembered and appreciated.
Friends, who wish to make a charitable donation in lieu of flowers, are invited to send donations to Heartland Hospice, 6500 Busch Blvd., Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43229, in Mary's name.