Mary Jean Beaudry, 98, died peacefully in her Pueblo, Colorado home at dawn on Palm Sunday, 13 April 2025.

Born in Joliet, Illinois on 10 June 1926, Mary Jean was raised in Joliet and South Elgin, Illinois.

Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Erwin Everett Beaudry and Marian Lucille Nolan; her beloved aunt, Ellen Anne "Nell" Jordan; her husbands, Michael L. Papesh and Joseph E. Arado; and her grandson, Charley Papesh.

She is survived by her sister, Joan Lee Crowther of Ft. Myers Florida; her sons, Rev. Michael L. Papesh of Pueblo, CO and Roger C. Papesh of New Almaden, CA; her grandchildren, Michael C. Papesh (Afton) of Sacramento, CA and Kristen Schaefer (Christopher) of Exeter, CA; her great-grandchildren, Cora, Charlotte, and Calvin Schaefer; and her Crowther nieces and nephews.

Mary Jean was a secretary at the E. J. & E. Ry. for 13 years, bookkeeper for Mike Papesh's Tavern for over 18 years, and a licensed funeral director in Illinois. She delighted in nothing more than extending family hospitality and sharing stories around the family hearth. Bright, with a wry wit, Mary Jean loved to laugh.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thanks to Gentiva Hospice for their generous, wise, and most gracious home hospice support.

Funeral services for Mary Jean Beaudry will be held 22 April 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet, where family and friends are invited to gather from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Elgin.

In lieu of flowers, please arrange for memorial Masses in your home parish. Condolences may be sent to Aspen Stand, 1015 Willowcrest Place, Pueblo CO 81005 or to michaelleopapesh@gmail.com.