Mary Joan Dobson

Mary Joan "Jo" Dobson, nee Farwell, age 66, went to be with her Lord and Savior whom she loved and served on September 1, 2023. Beloved wife for 39 years to David A. Dobson, Sr. Loving mother of David (Rebecca) Dobson II and Jonathan (Allison) Dobson. Cherished grandmother of Claire, Anna, Ellie, and Benjamin. Devoted daughter of the late Cyril and Rose Marie (nee Carr) Farwell. Dearest sister of Julie (John) Rundgren, Rose Marie (Sergio) Parisi and Joseph (Nancy) Farwell. Dear sister-in-law of Robert (Deborah) Dobson. Fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

To many of her friends she was Mary Jo or just MJ. She lovingly responded to all.

Mary Joan was born into the loving family of Cy and Rose Farwell on December 2, 1956. She was the first of four children born into the happy family. Julie, her Irish twin, came next in October and arrived home from the hospital on Mary Jo’s first birthday. Rose arrived two years later followed by Joe several years after that. The family grew up in Oak Park and was a part of the St. Giles Parish for many years. In 1978 Mary Jo met her future husband, David Dobson, at the Carson Pirie Scott North Riverside store where he interviewed and hired her for an open position in the Staff Planning department. They worked together for several years and then decided to date in the Spring of 1983. They were engaged in August and married on Friday, November 11th 1983. Mary Jo then became the Assistant Store Manager at the Carson Pirie Scott Hillside store where she worked for several years. To this marriage two sons were born, David Aicken Dobson II and Jonathan Samuel Dobson. There were three other children who went to be with the Lord before being born. Mary Jo had prayed for two Godly women for her boys to marry and to love. She was blessed with Becky and Allison. These daughter-in-law’s have reciprocated their love for her in caring for her throughout her illness and we thank God for them. Mary Jo has four grandchildren, Claire, Anna, Ellie and Benjamin. These little ones lit up her world and she could never do enough for them or spend enough time with them.

Over the years Mary Jo enjoyed many happy times with her family at Grand Beach Michigan, in the house, on the beach and just hanging out with family and friends. It was always a special time for her to sit on the pier with a friend and enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee. She enjoyed walks through the village, visiting with friends and neighbors and watching the sunset over the lake. She was not a great fan of swimming in Lake Michigan, but her swimming pool at home was her favorite water place. She loved to entertain friends and guest in her home. She was an excellent cook, a skill inherited from her mother. Her organizational skills in the kitchen were most evident when she would cook two formal Christmas dinners back to back, one on Christmas Eve and another on Christmas day, or when she was Head Cook at Lake Geneva Youth Camp, preparing 3 meals a day with the other cooks for several weeks a year, or as a meal Committee Head at the Palos Hills Christian Assembly.

Mary Jo was very industrious. As a teenager she worked for Gilmours department store in Oak Park, then Carson Pirie Scott & Company. After the boys were grown Mary Jo became interested in the medical field and she joined Oasis Outsourcing, Inc., KLO Professional Services, Inc., Team Health, Inc. and later Connifer Physician Services. After having gone through several corporate acquisitions she started and operated her own business called Integrity Care Solutions, a business that specialized in providing in home care and companionship services for the elderly.

She graduated from Trinity High School in River Forest, DePaul University with a degree in Marketing, and Stevens College in Columbia, MO. with post graduate studies in Health Information Administration. She later earned certifications of CCS-P, CSCM and ACSAH Certified Senior Care Manager.

Mary Jo’s faith changed when as a college student at DePaul University she came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. One Easter Sunday afternoon she was frustrated about having to go to church, she was channel surfing on the car radio and came across a preacher sharing the Easter message of how Christ was crucified, died, was buried and rose again and is now the mediator between us and God. The scripture that caught her attention was: I Timothy 2:5-6a “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all”. After that she said to herself in the car and was often heard to say after that: “That’s what I believe. I don’t need to confess my sins to a man”. From then on she sought to live for Jesus Christ. Later in life, Matthew 11:28 became very special and comforting to her as she rested on this scripture for her assurance of salvation. “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” She understood based on this and other scriptures that she needed to do nothing else then rest in what Jesus Christ did to be assured of being in heaven forever. It had nothing to do with her living right, or her good actions outweighing her bad deeds. It was Christ’s death alone. Throughout her life in difficult days, sad days and happy days she grew in her relationship with the Lord. One of her life driving scriptures, which is on her memorial card and in her display of memorabilia, was Philippians 2:1-5. (Read from the Memorial Card). Her passion was to put others first and work with people to get everyone on the same page (team). She would frequently drop what she was doing to help someone, making it very stressful for her to complete her own responsibilities.

Mary Jo was a people person that knew how to lead people, love people, no matter what their situation or status in life. She was a truly wise, kind and loving person that demonstrated the Fruit of the Spirit for us all to see. Her smarts, Irish wit and humor never ceased to amaze all of us who knew her. She loved being with those of “like mind”, you, her friends and loved ones.

We will all surely miss her, but as the Lord was faithful to lead and provide for her, so he will for all those that trust in him.

Visitation Friday, September 8, 2023 from 3-8 p.m. Funeral Service Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Colonial Chapel 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. Interment Fairmount-Willow Hills Memorial Park, Willow Springs, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-5197 Click here for online donation are appreciated.

Below is a photo tribute celebrating Mary Jo's life.



Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400