Mary Jakeway

Mary K. Jakeway, age 69, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Saturday April 13, 2024. She was born on February 23, 1955 in Coshocton, Ohio to the late Samuel and Mary (Calhoun) Pollock.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Tom Jakeway of 34 years, parents, brother-in-law Walter Jakeway, sister-in-law Donna Jakeway, and brother, Gene (Jeanie) Pollock.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Jessica Jakeway, and brothers Samuel (Kathryn) Pollock, Dennis (Harriett) Pollock, Charlie (Linda) Pollock, Earl (Georgianna Parisi) Pollock, nieces and nephews: Mike Pollock, Rebecca (Bob) Teeter, Julie Evans, Greg Pollock, Bill (Jennifer) Pollock, Beth Watson, Dave Pollock, Brenda (Harry) Marcks, John Jakeway, James Pollock, Denise (Kevin) Tucker-Pollock, Lisa (Brian) Pollock, Matt Pollock, and Seth Pollock, and a host of extended family members. Her many friends and coworkers were like additional family members and often joined in her travels and adventures. 

Not one to turn down the temptation of a dog, Mary had just picked out a new puppy, Hector, and had so much love for her late dog, Toby, and her late granddog, Dexter.  

Mary’s positive attributes would quickly fill a page, but her larger-than-life smile and inability to sit still if she was within earshot of music are maybe the most quintessential. Her warmth and inclusivity helped her connect instantly with anyone, in an almost magical way. She loved fiercely and would do anything to be there for others. Friends and even those who only knew her through Jessica’s posts and stories could tell she lived her life to the fullest. She attended more concerts, Ohio State Football games, and movies than most could imagine in several lifetimes. 

She always made people laugh with her spunky wit and sass. And maybe rarer, those who knew her share that she “could tease anyone without ever being mean.” It was just part of why so many have deemed her the life of the party.  She did not believe in bedtimes, thus many of her best memories involved late nights of “solving the world’s problems” on a patio or playing cards around a table.

Mary was Valedictorian at Coshocton High School.  Heavily influenced by her older brothers, she proudly joined them as a graduate of THE Ohio State University. She had a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science as well as a Bachelor’s in Microbiology and completed her MBA while pregnant with Jessica. Mary said she loved college life the second she stepped foot on OSU’s campus, filled with very different experiences from her small-town upbringing. 

She often told stories of living in the Scholarship House and sharing a room with 16 other girls in bunk beds. She found her people and started a lifelong obsession with her Buckeyes football team. She took family to countless games including the 1997 Rose Bowl, 2003 National Championship, and most recently a very meaningful trip to Notre Dame largely to honor the family’s love of the movie Rudy.

Mary retired from Whirlpool Marion as a Lead Environmental Engineer and was previously the Pretreatment Manager for the City of Columbus at Jackson Pike.  She had countless jobs at Ohio Health over her 40+ years.  She started at Riverside Hospital but also had significant time at Grant, Grady, and Grove City.  She finally went part-time in December and was still working as a Service Excellence Ambassador at Grove City Hospital. Prior to that, she did everything from registration, to billing, chart control, beds, and patient relations. 

Mary was currently serving as the President of the board at Greystone Village in Columbus.  She took pride in serving the needs of her small community and was the driving force behind keeping the pool operational, especially through Covid. 

Mary had also served on the Board of Trustees for Marion Goodwill as well as the Board for the Marion Adolescent Pregnancy Program. 

Mary worked more hours than not her entire life. However, when off the clock, she spent every waking moment LIVING.  As a small core family of just three, Mary, Tom, and Jessica were blessed to do so much together, including travels all over the world.  She especially loved the many visits to Hawaii, walking the streets of Lahaina while taking in the beautiful coastlines of Kauai and, of course, eating Lappart’s Ice Cream. 

She recently completed a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through Southeast Asia with Jessica.  She rode a sampan through the Fisherman Village of Hong Kong, walked the busy street markets of Bangkok, visited Buddhist temples, and shopped in the extravagant Singapore Airport. She went to the boat lounge for live music and dancing every single night, and she even found the courage to play in a poker tournament. It was no surprise that she managed to immediately make friends at the table while also taking their money as she finished in 3rd place. 

Mary instilled a love for live music and musicals in her daughter.  They traveled many miles to see Brandi Carlile and would combine trips to see her at Madison Square Garden with squeezing in up to two Broadway shows a day. Mary’s all-time favorites artists included Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, and Kris Kristopherson. Her last concert was Three Dog Night in March.  She came home beaming and raving about how much she enjoyed it and said she never realized how much influence they had on her positive outlook.

Mary loved being near the water (as long as she did not have to swim or kayak in anything more than 3 feet deep).  She and Tom had a summer home on Lake Erie at Plymouth Shore on the Bay in Marblehead where she spent time serving on the board for the community.  They also had a home in Fort Myers for several years, and she made sure to get one with a perfect view of the large pond. The family's favorite spots were The Island Cow on Sanibel Island and The Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha. 

Mary had many travel plans for 2024: the Galapagos Islands (April 19th), a cruise through Southeast Europe, and Hawaii. She wanted to get in as much as she could, while she could. That is a legacy she would want others to follow. 

Family will receive friends from 3:30 -7pm on Friday April 26th, 2024 at Egan and Ryan Funeral Home, 4661 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220; where a second visitation will be held the following day, Saturday April 27th, 2024 from 9a-10am with a service beginning at 10am. There will be a procession to Mifflin Cemetery, 218 Agler Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 and a graveside service will begin at approximately 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Greenlawn Abbey Preservation Association: https://greenlawnabbey.org/ 

Jessica asks that if you have any Ohio State gear or favorite concert shirts, please wear them to the visitation and or service.

The Livestream and recording of the funeral service can be viewed by clicking HERE

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