LOWELL - Mary Jo (Szafran) McInnis, 62, of Lowell, died Sunday morning August 30, 2009, at her home surrounded by her loving family, following a brief and courageous battle with cancer. She was the wife of the late John McInnis who predeceased her in 1995.
Born in Lowell on September 7, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine (Janocha) Szafran. She received her education in the Lowell school system and was a graduate of Lowell High School class of 1964. She went on to graduate from Castle Secretarial School in Windham, NH.
Prior to her illness, Mary Jo had been employed for over 40 years as a Legal Secretary by Qua, Hall, Harvey and Walsh Law Offices in Chelmsford.
In her free time, Mary Jo enjoyed nature: bird watching, flowers and long walks, she also loved her adorable cats and had a gift for making strangers smile. The time she cherished most was spent in the company of her family and dear friends.
Surviving her are her daughter and son-in-law Dawn M. McInnis and Tom O'Donnell of Lowell; her stepson Edward McInnis and his wife Lee Anne of Milford, NH; three grandchildren Lindsay and Kristi McInnis and Thomas O'Donnell; her sister Joanne Szafran of Washington, DC; a great aunt Helen Kochanek of Lowell; two brothers-in-law Robert McInnis and his wife Mary Lou of Dracut and William McInnis of Florida; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many dear friends especially Mary Couillard of Seabrook, NH.
Friends may call at DRACUT FUNERAL HOME 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Tuesday from 4 until 8 PM. Her Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 1 PM followed by interment in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Lowell. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in her name to Lowell Hospice and VNA PO Box 1965, Lowell, MA 01853-1965.