Mary Jane Coelho Saiz (nee Higgins) was born in Cushing, Neb., on Jan. 27, 1927. She came to California at the age of 16 and attended Castlemont High School in Oakland. Soon after high school Mary Jane met Frank Coelho and in 1945 they were married. Together they ran a limousine service and diner in the Oakland area, at a difficult time when trading ration stamps was a necessity to maintain a successful business. They moved to Fairfield in the mid 1940's and started the Yellow Cab and Travis Cab Companies. For many years they also ran Frank's Smoke Shop on Jefferson Street and Mary's Douglas Gas Station on the corner of Travis and Texas Streets. Mary Jane's husband passed away in 1957.
For many years Mary Jane worked at Inter Community Hospital in Fairfield, which later became the North Bay Medical Center. In 1992 Mary Jane retired from VacaValley Medical Center and was soon after diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This week Mary Jane was to be recognized at the NorthBay Healthcare 20-35 year honoree award banquet. Mary Jane battled Parkinson's for almost two decades and on Friday, Oct. 15, at the age of 83, her body succumbed to the disease. She is now with her beloved husband in a place of peace, free of the pains and debilitations of health.
Mary Jane was a long time resident of Fairfield. She leaves behind five children: daughters, Christine (Gerald) Raycraft, Catherine (Charles) Johnson, Carole Coelho Anspach, and Rebecca (Joe) Reagle, and son, Frank Coelho; as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mary Jane's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, N.Y., 10008-0780, or by phone at (800) 708-7644.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bryan-Braker Funeral Home in Fairfield and funeral services in honor of Mary Jane's life will take place on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Bryan-Braker, 425-4697, 1850 W. Texas Street, Fairfield, Calif., 94533. You may sign the guestbook at www.bryanbraker.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
November 15, 2010
I am so sorry to hear about Mary just found out today love her dearly we shared the same name Mary Jane which is rare. She was the sweetest person ever she took me under her wing when I started working at Northbay she was the kindist person ever will miss her love and prayers to all.
Mary Jane Tomelloso
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