Mary Jo Hunt

Mary Jo Hunt was born in Bay City, MI on July 26, 1942 to the late William and Eleanor Beaujean. She grew up in Essexville, and raised her family there, enjoying many summer afternoons hosting backyard pool parties and card nights with family and friends.

Mary Jo was an accomplished executive secretary for Dow Chemical, retiring after 32 years of service. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon, longtime volunteer, and collaborator on the monthly newsletter, The Herald.

Mary Jo was married to her husband, Clarence L. Hunt for nearly 64 years, until his death in 2024. Throughout their life together, they enjoyed traveling the world, Friday night fish dinners, playing cards and dice, sitting on their front porch together and chatting over a cup of coffee, and volunteering at First Presbyterian Church. Mary Jo was well known in her community for her delicious cinnamon rolls - whether they were for a bake sale at church or in anticipation of grandchildren visiting, they were always made with her special touch and love. When she wasn't baking cinnamon rolls or volunteering, she was reading or cross stitching while watching her favorite shows. She was extremely proud of her sons who were both in the Navy, and loved telling her friends about the latest happenings in her grandchildren's lives. When asked about her greatest accomplishment in life, she said she was most proud of how she cared for husband Clancy, who was legally blind, and that she stayed by his side through the good times and bad.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence L. Hunt. Mary Jo is survived by her two sons: Geoffrey S. (Michelle) Hunt and David L. Hunt, her grandchildren: Emily (Tyler) Wright, Josiah Hunt, Noah (Alanna) Hunt, Nathan Hunt, Sarah E. Garchow, Catherine Salgado, Sara R. (Jeffrey) Davenport and Abigail D. Hunt, and great grandchildren: Orrin Hunt, Isaiah Hunt, and Patrick Davenport.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11am at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Brenna Overland will officiate. Private burial will be at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Renovation Fund.