Memorial trees planted for:

Mary Jane Cotterell

<a href="https://link.edgepilot.com/s/655eddad/gkOm-onKA0yKqzIQyfII4g?u=https://boxcast.tv/view/mary-jane-cottrell-funeral-mass-ukfsutymkxngmqa5fevd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">*Click Here to Livestream the Mass*</a> Mary Jane (nee Callahan) Cotterell of Summit, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the age of 93. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 19 from 3pm to 7pm at the Bradley, Brough and Dangler Funeral Home 299 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church 306 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ on Saturday, December 20 at 10:45am. Interment will be at St. Teresa of Avila Cemetery in Summit, NJ following the Mass. Mary Jane was born in Morristown, New Jersey, the daughter of Harriett Woodward (nee Spinning) and Thomas Joseph Callahan. She lived in Chatham, New Jersey until the age of 3 years, and then moved with her parents to Summit. She graduated from Washington Elementary School, Summit Junior High School, and Summit High School. Mary Jane earned her varsity letter as the drum majorette for the Summit High School Marching Band. Like most people of her generation, Mary Jane was impacted by World War II in her growing up years. There have been many stories told of the war years – watching families sending their young men off to war on buses lined up on the village green in Summit not knowing if they would ever see each other again, sharing ration coupons for everything from food to tires with elderly relatives, neighborhood air raid drills, raising chickens so they could have eggs to eat, and weeding a very large Victory Garden with her brother Tom. Mary Jane spent every day after school at her widowed grandmother’s house. Grammie Callahan had four sons fighting in the war and the family didn’t want her to be alone in case military officers ever arrived at the house with bad news about any of her boys. In the spring of her senior year of high school, a neighbor who was an executive at CIBA Pharmaceuticals asked her what she was planning to do when she graduated. Mary Jane said she wasn’t sure – she wanted to go to secretarial school, but there was no money for her to attend school at that time. Her neighbor told her the name of the person at CIBA to contact for a job. Mary Jane was hired as a secretary in the executive building at CIBA and instead of attending school she learned on the job! It was at CIBA that Mary Jane met the love of her life, Art, another life-long resident of Summit. He worked in the tablet and ointment division. They married and spent 66 years together as best friends and soul mates. Art often said that marrying Mary Jane was the best decision he ever made in his life. Wherever they went, if you saw one you usually saw both of them. Mary Jane was broken-hearted when Art passed away in 2019. After they were married, Mary Jane and Art lived in an apartment which backed up to the train line in Summit. Her younger brother, David lovingly referred to their apartment as “Mary Jane and Art’s shack by the track!” During this time, Mary Jane’s father thought it would be a great idea if he and some of his friends along with Art built a house! “Why pay rent?” was his battle cry! Property was purchased on Greenfield Avenue, and the project began. The house was completed with the wall paper still damp at the time of a surprise house warming party during Thanksgiving weekend 1953. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Art decided he should go to college so that he could be a role model for his children. He attended Seton Hall University on a part-time basis at night while continuing to work at CIBA during the day. After just over 6 years, he earned his degree. Mary Jane often joked that Art’s degree belonged at least half to her since she spent so many late nights typing all his research papers. Mary Jane and her mother saved nickels and dimes during the years Art was in school to pay for his Seton Hall class ring when he graduated. It was a surprise to him when Mary Jane gave it to him because he had already said they couldn’t afford it. He wore it proudly all his days. Once all three children were in school, Mary Jane and a neighbor (Marie Maluso) started looking for something to do. They began working as substitute secretaries for the Summit Board of Education which later led to full-time employment for both of them at Summit High School. Mary Jane became the secretary to the principal – they had gone to high school together many years before, and he insisted she was the right person for the job. When students were kicked out of the classroom and sent to the principal’s office, Mary Jane was the first person the student had to deal with – then came the phone call to the parents and the meeting with the principal. Her first response as these students waited for the big meeting to occur was to offer them a cup of tea. She believed almost everything could be solved with a cup of tea! Over the years, many of these same students who had experienced her compassion went out of their way on the streets of Summit to greet her. Mary Jane retired a few years before Art, and she spent her time doing volunteer work with the Red Cross – blood drives and medical transportation. She drove patients to medical appointments all over New Jersey and New York City. She often said that she was very glad Art didn’t know the details of her driving adventures or where she had to park to wait for the patients. She always remarked about how much help she was given by the New York City police officers. Once Mary Jane and Art were both retired, they spent their time visiting children and grandchildren, traveling overseas to do genealogical research (even running into Coach Red Ahearn at the Hall of Records in Dublin doing research for his family), and volunteering together at the Summit Historical Society. Mary Jane was more comfortable as a support person in the background – she was never fond of the spotlight. She was Art’s “wind beneath his wings” in everything he did both as a teacher and a coach. She was passionate about helping other people and being a caregiver. Whether it was watching Yankee baseball games or Seton Hall basketball games, quilting or knitting, or traveling to Ireland and England with Art, Mary Jane lived a full life with family and friends. She will be sorely missed, yet she will remain in our hearts forever. Mary Jane is survived by her brother David James Callahan (Pat) of Australia; her sister-in-law Jean Cotterell of Belmar, New Jersey; her sister-in-law Marie Callahan of Bridgewater, New Jersey; her three children Pat, Bob (Lori), and Tom (Zita); grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was predeceased by her beloved husband, Arthur James Cotterell, her mother Harriett Woodward Spinning Callahan, her father Thomas Joseph Callahan, her brother Thomas John Callahan, and her sister Lois Harriett Callahan McManus. Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and as she liked to describe herself “an independent Irishwoman!” – her life is remembered and celebrated! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Jane’s name to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad.

July 28, 1932 - December 11, 2025

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Mary Jane Cotterell

11 Trees have been planted in memory of Mary Jane Cotterell.

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Memorial Trees

Julie Browne and the Browne family

December 18, 2025

The planting of 3 memorial trees in the honor of Mary Jane Cotterell has been arranged by Julie Browne and the Browne family. Plant a tree

Our deepest condolences to all of the Cotterell family on the passing of your mother and grandmother. Our hearts and prayers are with you.

Bob & Lori Cotterell

December 17, 2025

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Mary Jane Cotterell has been arranged by Bob & Lori Cotterell. Plant a tree

We love you, Mom!

Anonymous

December 16, 2025

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Mary Jane Cotterell has been arranged by Anonymous. Plant a tree

Dear Cotterell Family : During this time of transition and loss we all extend our friendship and care.

Leslie, Jean, Julie, Diane, Cheryl and Jayme

December 16, 2025

The planting of 5 memorial trees in the honor of Mary Jane Cotterell has been arranged by Leslie, Jean, Julie, Diane, Cheryl and Jayme. Plant a tree

In loving honor of the life of Mary Jane Cotterelle. With Love, Leslie Phillips, Jean Berg, Cheryl Maki, Julie La Forge, Diane Suau and Jamie Dvorak

With love, from Mike Browne and Ann Pickett

December 16, 2025

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Mary Jane Cotterell has been arranged by With love, from Mike Browne and Ann Pickett. Plant a tree

Dear Bob and Lori, our hearts go out to you and your entire family in this time of sorrow, as we wish you peace and wonderful memories of your mother.

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