Mary Jane Vorhies-Courtney, 74, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with her loving family by her side.
Born April 1, 1943, in South New Berlin, Mary Jane was the daughter of Nelson and Louise (Miller) Brookins.
For many years, Mary Jane worked as a distribution manager at the Pennysaver, in Norwich. It was at the Pennysaver that Mary Jane met her future husband, Jeffrey Courtney. Mary Jane and Jeff were married in Norwich on April 19, 1997. They just recently celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Mary Jane’s pride and joy were her children and grandchildren, and took great pride in raising them well. She also very much enjoyed horseback riding, gardening in her flower beds, bird watching, and was an active bowler. Mary Jane was fond of all types of animals, but especially her dog, Mickey.
In addition to her husband, Mary Jane is survived by those she adored; daughter Virginia Ostrom, of Norwich, son Alan Hess and his wife, Cheri, of Norwich, grandchildren Jordan and MacKenzie Hess, and siblings Bonnie Diefenbacher and her husband Kevin, of Norwich, and Sherie Warner, of Binghamton. She is also survived by her daughter Barbara Fleming, of Norwich, and her son Clayton Ostrom, of Eugene, OR, nephew Eric Diefenbacher and his wife, Valerie, of Norwich, and two great-grandchildren.
A graveside service for Mary Jane will be held on Friday, June 23, 2017, at Mt. Hope Cemetery, where Rev. Jen Westervelt, pastor, Canasawacta Valley Free Methodist Church, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, June 22, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Contributions in Mary Jane’s memory may be made to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815
To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.