Mary Jane Mccann

Mary Jane (Smith) McCann, age 77, of Gays Mills, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2022, at her home. She was born March 8, 1945, to the late Fred and Grace (Pinkham) Smith in Gays Mills. Mary graduated from Gays Mills High School in 1963. She then married William E. McCann in 1965, and they raised their three children together (Bob, Jodi, and Bill) until they later divorced. Mary spent the last 36 years with her life partner, Jeff Werthwein, raising their son (Cody) together in their home in Gays Mills. Although Mary moved away for a few years, she always called Gays Mills home, spending most of her life there. Mary worked many jobs during her life, including packing apples at the orchards in Gays Mills, running a daycare, factory work, and working in the tobacco fields. However, her favorite job was being a Mom and Grandmother to all those she loved. She loved her grandchildren unlike any other (Kita, Alisha, Brooke, Zach, Kenzie, Tasha, Tanner, Gabe, Addy, Oakley, Tessa, Odin, Beck, Aspen, and Elijah). She never missed a sporting event, concert, graduation, or major life event. She will always be remembered as a wonderful cook, with her specialty being her famous homemade chicken noodles. Her house was commonly known as “Ma’s Diner” as her kitchen was always stocked with the best food and welcome to all. Mary’s generosity touched everyone in her life. Mary loved her animals dearly, always taking in wounded animals and nurturing them back to health. Throughout her life, she had a wide range of animals, including miniature ponies, donkeys, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats. She was even called “Grandma Meow” by some of her grandchildren. Additionally, she had a passion for flowers and yardwork. She spent countless hours perfecting her lawn, regardless of the temperature, and will be remembered as the “Weed eating Queen”. Mary also liked to go to garage sales and find the best deals. Mary is survived by her life partner, Jeff Werthwein; four children: Robert McCann of Gays Mills, Jodi (Tom) Swiggum of Gays Mills, Bill (Dawn) McCann of Gays Mills, and Cody (Jordon) McCann of Gays Mills; Jeff’s father, Norman Werthwein; sisters, Patricia (Fred) Vance of Tomah and Betty (Bernie) Zach of Gays Mills; eight grandchildren: Nikita (Derek) Kellogg of Gays Mills, Alisha McCann of Madison, Brooke (Cody) McCann of Viola, Zach McCann of Gays Mills, Mackenzie (Mason) McCauley of Madison, Natasha (Christian) Ellefson of Tennessee, Tanner (Aubrey) McCann of Gays Mills, Gabe McCann of Gays Mills, and Addysyn McCann of Gays Mills; six great-grandchildren: Oakley, Tessa, and Beckham Kellogg, Odin and Elijah Ellefson, and Aspen Kummer. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her brother, Robert Smith; Jeff’s mother, Sandra Werthwein; and family friend, Tracy Horner. Per Mary’s wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date with close family and friends. Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Gays Mills is serving Mary's family. 325 Sunset Ridge Ave. Gays Mills, WI 54631 (608) 735-2100