Mary Jane McDonald , devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully at home on Monday, surrounded by family.  She was 97.

She was born to William & Eva (Krum) Hensley on Feb 6, 1926, one of four children.  Her early life was spent between her father's home on Thompson Street in Bordentown and St. Michael's Catholic Orphanage in Hopewell.

Mary attended William MacFarland High School.  In 1944, she joined the war effort in the Women Ordinance Workers repairing Army jeeps and trucks at Fort Dix before transferring to an office position.  After the war, she worked at De Laval Steam Turbine Co. in Trenton and attended night school at Rider College.  In 1952, she married John M. McDonald II and together they had two children, Susan (Greenberg) and John M. "Jack" McDonald III.

During this time, she had many friends as an active member of Saint Mary's church, the Bordentown Republican Club, as well as being an avid bowler.

When John passed suddenly in 1959, Mary had a number of jobs before settling on a career at New Jersey Manufacturers' Insurance until her retirement in 1990.  She then moved to sunny Southwest Florida where she enjoyed volunteering at Lee Memorial hospital.  She also traveled the world on many cruises and a trip to Europe.  She later returned to Bordentown to be closer to her family.

She is remembered by her family for her devout faith, loving demeanor, and cheerful disposition during even the most tumultuous times in her life.  "She was the glue that held us all together."

She was predeceased by her siblings, William "Bill," Frances (Brown), and John "Pat" Hensley.   She is survived by her children, several nieces and nephews, son-in-law Bob Greenberg, grandchildren Karen (Greenberg) Kwietniak (Matthew) & Joseph J. Greenberg (Cassie); John M. McDonald IV (Tori)  & Meghan McDonald, as well as great grandchildren William & Nathan Kwietniak; Penelope & Gwendolyn Greenberg; and Jackson, Evelyn & Calvin McDonald.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am Friday, February 24 at Mary, Mother of the Church, 45 Crosswicks St, Bordentown, NJ. Friends may call on the family Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Peppler Funeral Home, 122 Crosswicks St, Bordentown, NJ. Interment will follow the mass in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mary Mother of the Church Parish in Bordentown ( https://mmotcp.org/online-giving) the Burlington County Animal Shelter ( https://burlingtoncountynj.formstack.com/forms/animal_shelter_donations)