Mary Jane Juliette, 91, of Walston, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the home of her daughter, Janie Lowry, with the help and support of all her children who came together to care for her.
She was born at home in Walston on September 29, 1934, a daughter of the late Joseph Martino and Josephine (Farbo) Martino.
Mary Jane was a 1953 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School.
She was a devoted catholic and a member of the former St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church and Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church. The St. Anthony’s yearly festival was near and dear to her heart; she loved the procession and the celebration that brought everyone together.
On September 28, 1957, she married the love of her life, Joseph John Juliette. They enjoyed nearly fifty-eight years of marriage and raised a loving family. He preceded her in death on January 29, 2015. Mrs. Juliette worked as a lunch lady at Mary A. Wilson Elementary School for many years. It wasn’t just a job for her, but an opportunity to care for the small children who may have needed a little extra kindness in their day.
Mary Jane’s life exemplified humility, kindness, compassion, and service to others before herself. She didn’t just say it, she lived it everyday by her love for others through small acts of thoughtfulness, whether it was by making a neighbor their favorite food, checking on them, or sitting with them during their final days. One of her favorite sayings was “the only way to be happy is to make someone else happy.”
If you knew Mary Jane, you knew that she loved to feed everyone, whether it was a family gathering, a Steeler party or you just stopped in to say hello, she insisted you have something to eat. Each year she hosted Christmas dinner for anyone that wanted to stop by her house, it was a swinging door all day long and she always made sure there was plenty of food. You never left her home hungry, it was her way of showing you that she loved you and that you mattered. No one left her house without a paper bag filled with goodies. Spaghetti Sundays were her favorite, her family would pack her house on Sunday, it was a time they could all enjoy a delicious meal and get together, it ensured the family bond would never be lost or forgotten. When the house cleared out, she loved to go for a Sunday drive with her sweetheart Joe. They enjoyed one another’s company, the scenery and the time to relax and unwind together.
Mary Jane loved to take pictures of everyone, she accumulated thousands of pictures of all the family, friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, she was always behind the camera and not included in many of the photos.
For fun she enjoyed the excitement of scratch off lottery tickets.
She is survived by five children, Joseph (Linda) Juliette of Valier, Janie (Dan) Lowry of Punxsutawney, Robert Juliette of Punxsutawney, Rhonda (Ken) Parsons of Punxsutawney, and Ricky (Joy) Juliette of Walston; eight grandchildren, Justin Juliette of Punxsutawney, Jocelyn (Ty) Newcome of Punxsutawney, Danny (Sapphire) Lowry of Punxsutawney, Derik (Shae) Lowry of Punxsutawney, Jason Juliette of Houston, Texas, Brynn Centner of Wexford, Kara Kunselman of Punxsutawney, Ian (Ashley) Parsons of Punxsutawney; thirteen great grandchildren, Gianella and Rocco Juliette, Aspen, Bowen and Truett Newcome, Kyson, Kopelynn, and Kalista Lowry, Mack, Mia and Madden Lowry, Makayla and Mackenzie Parsons; four sister in-laws, Irene Martino of Punxsutawney, Joanne Henry of Indiana, Kathy (Steve) Duex of Maryland, Linda (Ken) Toth of Conneaut Lake; brother in-laws, Ronald Juliette of Indiana and David Juliette of Pittsburgh; many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Anthony (Roseanne) Martino, James (Elva) Martino, Fred Martino, Ross (Florence) Martino, John (Anita) Martino, Anna “Babe” (Vincent) Miller, Caroline Martino, Annie Martino, Mary Martino and baby sister, Rachel Martino, and brother in-law, Bob Henry. Mary Jane was the last of her immediate family.
Friends will be received from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, February13, 2026, at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church, celebrated by Monsignor Joseph Riccardo.
Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
