Mary Jeneson

Mary Elizabeth Jeneson, 69, died in her home surrounded by loving family, on June 5, 2020. Mary was born February 3, 1951 in Duluth to Lew and Marge Pritchard. Mary was the baby with two older siblings, Kathy Pritchard and Jerry Pritchard. Mary grew up in Duluth and was a 1969 graduate of Cathedral High School. Mary had a special group of girlfriends who have remained connected and close since high school. Following high school Mary discovered her love and gift for training dogs, specifically Springer Spaniels. Howard was her first Springer and her champion. She and Howard went on to win several categories at dog shows around the state. Her love for dogs carried on with her beloved cocker spaniel, Rosie, followed by her partner pug, Gracie, and sweet Andy who was by her side until her last breath. In her earlier years, Mary worked for Duluth’s Water and Gas Company before she married in 1981, devoting the rest of her life to what she loved most - her family and raising her children. She worked for Calvary Cemetery as the Secretary for many years after her children were grown. Mary’s greatest loves were her children and grandchildren. She sewed her soul into raising a family, which included family pets as well. Over the years they had pet dogs, birds, snakes, guinea pigs, lizards, bunnies, and even baby squirrels Mary nursed back to health before returning them back to nature. She loved getting her hands dirty in the earth. She used to say gardening was her therapy, and it showed. She had beautiful gardens in her yard over the years and her deck was always full of gorgeous potted floral arrangements, plants and bird feeders. Her deck was a special place. Many people will carry with them the memories made on Mary’s deck. As her family grew, Mary’s loving and giving nature only expanded. She enjoined hosting parties, feeding people with her (wonderful) cooking, baking treats for the garbage man, leaving little notes in the lunchboxes of her kids, and didn’t even mind waking up to an unexpected gang of teenagers sleeping on her living room floor - she would just hop to the kitchen and start making them breakfast. Her heart was full when her home was full. She made everyone who came into her home feel like a member of the family. She loved spending time with her family and friends and was known for her infectious laugh. Mary was genuine, she was selfless, and she was a great listener. She truly cared about everyone she came in contact with. Mary will be missed by so many, but especially by her kids and beautiful grandkids. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lew and Marge Pritchard and her sister, Kathy Pritchard. She is survived by her four children, Meghan Talbot of Duluth, Matt Jeneson of Minneapolis, Mark Jeneson of Duluth and Molly Jeneson of Duluth; brother, Jerry Pritchard of Oregon; two grandchildren, Aiden Talbot and Isaac Talbot; and her lifelong friends, Eileen Monahan, Barb Lepak, Kathy Kenning, Helen Pietrusa and Gloria Larsen. Visitation 10 am until the time of sharing at 11 am on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Dougherty Funeral Home. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.