Mary Jo Erf (née Foos), a longtime resident of Dearborn, passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 83. Born in Lorain, Ohio, she grew up the daughter of an Oldsmobile dealer who was known for showing up at her school dances in pajamas when she was out past curfew. She attended Magnificat High School and St. Mary's the Spring College. After receiving her B.S. in Home Economics, she began her career at Detroit's iconic Stouffer's Top of the Flame Restaurant. After many moves, making lifelong friends along the way, she settled in Dearborn with her children in the late 1970s.
Mary Jo became a local fixture as the owner of Pete and Ann's Bar. Known for her boisterous laugh, asymmetrical hairstyle, and all-black wardrobe ("it makes me look thinner"), she took pride in her community, her business, and a burger that famously rivaled the best in town. In the 1980s, she volunteered in all capacities with her children; school, sports, 4-H, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. It was a rarity to see her sit still.
She served as the Secretary of Michigan's Liquor Control Commission, took business classes, and was always open for an adventure. She had a charitable heart; transporting girls in the foster care system, volunteering at multiple churches, donating her time to Meals on Wheels, and offering support to anyone in need.
Mary Jo's kitchen was always open, and no one was ever hungry at her table. She was spunky, feisty, and opinionated. She was God-loving and God-fearing. She was orderly to a fault. She loved red wine and white carpet, so she always kept spot cleaner at home, because "accidents happen".
She believed in living life, using the good dishes, ordering the filet and lobster, and not missing a moment to remind her loved ones how much they meant to her.
She is survived by her daughters, Melissa (Joseph) Brophy and Kimberly Ruffino, grandchildren, Jered, Carmen, and Owen, her brother, Anthony (Diane) Foos, and sister-in-law, Linda Erf Swift. She loved her many nieces, nephews, and their children, all of whom brought her so much joy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude (Yunker) Foos and Earl Foos, and her sisters Virginia West and Kathleen DeBarry.
Mary Jo became a local fixture as the owner of Pete and Ann's Bar. Known for her boisterous laugh, asymmetrical hairstyle, and all-black wardrobe ("it makes me look thinner"), she took pride in her community, her business, and a burger that famously rivaled the best in town. In the 1980s, she volunteered in all capacities with her children; school, sports, 4-H, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. It was a rarity to see her sit still.
She served as the Secretary of Michigan's Liquor Control Commission, took business classes, and was always open for an adventure. She had a charitable heart; transporting girls in the foster care system, volunteering at multiple churches, donating her time to Meals on Wheels, and offering support to anyone in need.
Mary Jo's kitchen was always open, and no one was ever hungry at her table. She was spunky, feisty, and opinionated. She was God-loving and God-fearing. She was orderly to a fault. She loved red wine and white carpet, so she always kept spot cleaner at home, because "accidents happen".
She believed in living life, using the good dishes, ordering the filet and lobster, and not missing a moment to remind her loved ones how much they meant to her.
She is survived by her daughters, Melissa (Joseph) Brophy and Kimberly Ruffino, grandchildren, Jered, Carmen, and Owen, her brother, Anthony (Diane) Foos, and sister-in-law, Linda Erf Swift. She loved her many nieces, nephews, and their children, all of whom brought her so much joy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude (Yunker) Foos and Earl Foos, and her sisters Virginia West and Kathleen DeBarry.
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