Mary Jane L. (Leach) Giudici, 86, of Salinas (formerly of San Lucas), passed away peacefully on February 12, 2015, with her family by her side. She was born August 12, 1928 in Gilroy, CA to Charles Edward "Ed" Leach and Martha Elizabeth "Betty" (Brown) Leach. Mary Jane was a granddaughter and descendant of Orson Pratt Brown, a Mormon colonist, church leader, militia captain, rancher, miner and philanthropist.

Mary Jane's parents moved to San Francisco, CA when she was a young child. Over the course of her childhood and teenage years, she lived with her mother and father, favorite Auntie "Jean" (Emma) and Uncle Jack and her mother and stepfather, Larry Moore. She also lived in a Catholic convent, Immaculate Conception, in San Francisco. She attended over 22 different schools, including Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, CA where she graduated in February 1946 at the age of 17 and then the University of California at Berkley (Fall 1946 – Spring 1949) where she majored in journalism and minored in English.

The summer of 1949, Mary Jane went to visit her Uncle Duke Brown and Aunt Georgia in Yakima, WA and began her newspaper career with the Yakima Daily Republic and Gazette. She returned to the Bay Area in 1950 and began work with the San Francisco Chronicle as a writer, then moved onto the San Francisco Examiner where she became an accomplished classified ad salesperson. She worked there for twelve years, up until her marriage.

During her single years, Mary Jane enjoyed singing, dancing, reading and traveling to Hawaii, Mexico and throughout California. A favorite spot to camp and water ski was Lake Arrowhead.

A close friend and co-worker, Viola "Vi" Beasley Lovett and her husband, Bill, introduced Mary Jane to her future husband, Allan Giudici, on a blind date in June 1958 in San Francisco. Both Mary Jane and Allan were die-hard San Francisco Giants and 49er's fans who hit it off immediately. But, their courtship was put on hold when Allan was afflicted with Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Allan's cousin, Gail Baumgartner, was instrumental in getting Allan and Mary Jane together again in 1961. Shortly thereafter, Allan invited Mary Jane to a San Francisco Giants game at Kezar Stadium and, after the game, proposed to her. They were married January 20, 1962 at the Carmel Mission Basilica.

Mary Jane moved to San Lucas to join Allan on his family's ranch – the Giudici Ranch – where he was a row crop vegetable farmer. There they began their family and were blessed with three children: Grace Elizabeth, Laura Frances and James Edward.

She and Allan enjoyed socializing, being active and giving back in the South Monterey County community. They were also involved in supporting agriculture at the regional and state level. She was a charter member of the California Women for Agriculture's Salinas Valley Chapter and the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation. She was also a member of Monterey County Cowbelles, Monterey County Farm Bureau and the California Republican Party. Mary Jane worked on the election campaigns of both former California Assembly Members Carol Hallett and Eric Seastrand.

A wonderful cook and hostess, Mary Jane was also a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who volunteered her time as a San Lucas 4-H Leader and St. John's Mothers Club member where she served as President. More than anything, Mary Jane loved visiting with and entertaining friends and family. For more than 45 years, she supported her children, then grandchildren, in their academic and religious education and 4-H, FFA and athletic activities. She attended countless meetings, fairs, religious and school activities and athletic games. Mary Jane was a fixture at her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. She remained a faithful San Francisco Giants and 49'ers fan and enjoyed watching the games with her family and friends.

In July 2008, Mary Jane was diagnosed with acute renal failure. She began dialysis treatments, three times per week, at Mee Memorial Hospital Dialysis Center. In June 2012, Mary Jane moved to the loving and caring senior community of Villa Serra in Salinas, CA to be closer to her physicians and medical care. She transferred to DaVita Salinas Valley Dialysis Center at the same time.

Mary Jane was a great storyteller who made friends wherever she went, including many she considered like family at Mee Memorial Hospital Dialysis Center, the DaVita Salinas Valley Dialysis Center and Villa Serra. She enjoyed a very special bond with many people who cared for her including Dr. S.A. Kumar, Dr. Michael Dicus and many of her former caregiver "angels."

She especially loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her dearest friend and confidant, Arlene Azcona and, her daughter from another mother, Marianne Madson. Her unbelievable strength, courage, quick wit and dry sense of humor inspired others and endeared her to many. She will be deeply missed here on earth, but greeted with open arms in Heaven.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Allan and her parents, Betty Moore and Ed Leach. She is survived by her three children, Grace (Marvin) Borzini, Laura (Ted) Mills and James (Adriana) Giudici; seven grandchildren: Bryson Francis and Kambree Elizabeth Borzini, Zachery James, Austin Allan, Aubree Jane (Dustin) and Paulette Madison Giudici and Benjamin Allan Plaskett; three step-grandchildren: Francisco "Ponch" Jimenez, Mallorie Amber (Josh) and Michelle Amanda Mills; three great-grandchildren: Teagan Sage, Anaiya Rose and Jasiah Ellis Nelson; and, one step-great grandson: Sebastian James Evoniuk.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mary Jane's memory to the Mee Memorial Hospital Foundation Dialysis Fund, 300 Canal St., King City, CA, 93930, the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 942, King City, CA, 93930 or King City High School Mustang Bench, P. O. Box 410, King City, CA, 93930.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE for Mary Jane will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015 in the Pavilion Building of the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., King City. Private interment will take place at the King City District Cemetery.