Mary Jane Ruth McDermott

Mary Jane "Gigi" "MJ" McDermott was born on October 14th 1928 in Detroit Michigan. Her life surrounded around friends, family and "kidding around". Gigi was a true definition of friend. She was at your side at weddings or funerals; baptisms and graduations. She was only a phone call away and could be trusted with your deepest secret. Many of Mary Jane's most steadfast friends were made during her 48-year career working for Michigan Bell. In 1946, at the age of 18, Mary Jane secured a job as a Long-Distance Toll Operator. One of her first steadfast friends was Mary Jo Moore, whose family would become her "eastside family". When Mary Beth, Mary Jo's first born could not pronounce Mary Jane, "Gigi" as we know her emerged. Two more generations of Mary Jo's family would come to expect Gigi at Christmas, Easter, graduations, and birthdays. Gigi was there with bells on (literally). Gigi was easy going and gracious, always bringing the fun, the food, and insisting on doing dishes when the night was done. Mary Jo and her husband Mac would introduce Gigi to one of her life long loves: automobiles. Gigi's love of cars is symbolic of her independent and adventurous spirit. In 1955, ...[more]

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y Jo and Mac sold Gigi their 1953 Chevy Belaire and Gigi never looked back. Soon she would purchase her first new car, a 1960 Ford English. Gigi had many cars over the years with her signature PT Cruisers being close to her heart. Mary Jane would meet another true friend at Michigan Bell: Helen Mulvey. Helen, her husband and Mary Jane would hold raucous card club nights filled with food, drink, and of course jokes. After Helen's husband died, Mary Jane remained a loyal friend to Helen and took care of her through a terminal illness and death in 1994. 1994 was a very memorable year for Mary Jane as this marked her retirement from Michigan Bell as an Operator Services Information Supervisor. In Retirement, Mary Jane became known as "MJ" to many in her local haunts: Vivio's, On the Rocks (OTR) and Betty Ross II to name a few. MJ was an expert friend maker. She was constantly accused of flirting with waitstaff and of course, her tips were generous. Her signature style was to request the bartender "mix" her a drink to be added to her "mixology notes". All of these notes are to be compiled into a book which is to be published now that she has passed on. Mary Jane was accompanied into retirement by some of her best friends: Keith and Duane, Marlene, Betty and Marni, Lois, Loretta, Sandy, Sue and so many others who loved to party. One of Gigi's most important roles in retirement was tag team babysitter to Mary Jo's first great grandchild, Jaden (who is now 17). Gigi and Grams (Mary Jo) were a dynamic golden girl duo, tackling all things childcare from potty training to basketball practice. Gigi had a lasting impact on 3 generations of her eastside family. MJ lived out her final years staying sharp. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzler. Luckily Keith and Duane were only a phone call away to get her out of any puzzle predicament she may have found herself in. She was also diligent about making phone call welfare checks to everyone in her contacts list. So many of us have taken a break at work or school only to be greeted by a hilarious, upbeat check in voicemail from our dear MaryJane/Gigi/MJ. When it came to MaryJane/Gigi/MJ you always knew you were loved. Mary Jane was beloved Gigi to Joellyn, Judy, Maria, Krysten, Salvatore, Gina, Kate, Jaden, Grayson, Nora, Benjamin, and Emmett. A Burial will take place on Friday, February 4th at 1pm at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. We would like to leave you with a message from "Mary Jane, Gigi, MJ". This was found in her notebooks and is very reflective of her personality and style, "Attention everybody, Stand Up - Just Kidding! I'm sending all my thanks to all my friends and family who sent me birthday wishes. You are my dear friends and I'm so glad to know all of you til the end of time. We talk and laugh and kid around. That's what friends do. With much love, I thank you again. If I had a drink in my hand, I'd raise my glass to you. All my love, M.J." Stay tuned for details regarding a spring memorial service "PARTY" to celebrate Mary Jane's amazing life!