Mary~Jo Isabelle Guy

Our beloved mother, Mary-Jo Isabelle Guy, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024, surrounded by love, opera, and chants of Om Mani Padme Hum. MJ leaves behind a legacy of kindness, connection, lifelong-learning, and an energetic spirit that will forever be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Born on May 5, 1934, in Madison, Wisconsin, MJ's journey through life was marked by a profound commitment to serving others. Earning her college degree later in life while raising her children, she started her teaching career working in Head Start and eventually owned a preschool at the now defunct Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey. MJ moved to Houston to be closer to her sister, where she became a Montessori teacher. This training forever marked her professional and personal life as she allowed and encouraged playfulness and freedom of choice for her students, family, and for herself. She nurtured her devotion to theater & music by filling her days with artistic pursuits by performing with several community playhouses  and attending countless performances. She had an endearing habit of singing a snippet of a tune or making a literary reference in almost every conversation.

She fulfilled her wanderlust by traveling extensively through the US and Canada whenever it was possible to visit friends and explore new places. Along with being an active Unitarian Universalist, at the age of 71, she took Buddhist vows in Colorado where she was given the Dharma name Tenzin (Holder of the teachings) Jampa (Loving-Kindness).  She didn’t slow down until she was in her late 70’s.

As a mother, MJ’s love knew no bounds. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to nurturing and supporting her children and grandchildren, instilling in them the values of goodness, peace, love and kindness. Her unconditional love and unwavering support were the guiding lights in our lives. She was devoted to caring for grandson, Christopher, in Illinois and California and spent extensive amounts of time living with her daughter, Lori, to help in caregiving young twins and a grandson in Colorado and Georgia.

MJ's generosity extended far beyond her family, as she was actively involved in numerous charitable endeavors within her community. Whether volunteering at the local food bank, organizing fundraisers for those in need, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend in distress, MJ’s selflessness knew no bounds. Her absence will be deeply felt by the countless lives she touched.

MJ was preceded in death by her late husbands, George Weston and Reuben Guy and is survived by her children Theresa Bradley, Allan Weston (Pam), Richard Weston (Maria), Karl Weston, and Lori Shindell (Steve); her grandchildren Sean, Christopher, Vanessa, Daniel, Scott, Sophie, Zachary, and Jamie Jane, as well as a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

Though MJ may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will live on in the countless lives she touched and the memories she created. She will be remembered for her boundless love, unwavering strength, and enduring legacy of kindness. May she rest in peace, knowing she made the world a brighter place for all who knew her.

A celebration of MJ's life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, do a good deed with thoughts of her - or donations may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at https://donate.NAMI.org in MJ's memory. Interment will be at the Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery in Oceanside, CA

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