Obituary of Mary Jean Fabritz

Mary Jean (Davis) Fabritz passed into eternity Saturday August 26, 2017, at Solon Nursing Care Center after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

Her Funeral Mass will held at 10:30 am Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Solon with Rev. Timothy Sheedy officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday the 30th from 3 to 7 pm, with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7pm, all at the church. A luncheon will immediately follow the funeral as internment will take place at a later date with family in attendance. A memorial fund has been established in her memory.

Mary Jean was born at home in Iowa City to Wallace Eugene "Wally" Davis and Helen Rose (Dalton) Davis on June 2, 1935. An only child, she spent much of her time with her parents at their places of work lending a hand, tagging along with her many cousins about town, sipping a strawberry soda at Whetstone's Drug Store between classes with friends, or enjoying a film or two at the Varsity or Englert Theatres. But her favorite times included fishing and hunting with her Dad and Grandpa, tending to pets on the family farm Knob Hill, and learning the fine art of cooking with her Mom and Grandmother.

Mary Jean was a long time parishioner of St. Patrick Church of Iowa City, where she sang as a cantor for morning masses starting at a young age. She was a member of the 1953 graduating class of St. Patrick High School. She had many fond memories of shared times with the class of 52' and '53, some of whom became life long friends. She then attended the University of Iowa, studying Botany, graduating in the class of 1958. Mary Jean also worked as an assistant at the College of Pharmacy where she helped correct papers and aided in the distribution of pharmaceuticals throughout the U of I Hospital.

After being introduced by mutual friends, she married William Joseph (Bill) Fabritz on June 27th, 1964 at St. Patrick Church. The two lived for a time in a little honeymoon cottage on Ronald Street. Mary Jean often woke to the sounds of harp in the morning, as Bill practiced one of his many instruments. Often she reminisced how she "must have been living right", until realizing she was not at the pearly gates, just near the gates of Oakland Cemetery. She was quite thankful Bill's day didn't start with his brass instruments.

Soon after, the couple moved to a farmstead in Solon, Iowa. Many were surprised Mary Jean was able to move even a short 9 miles away from Iowa City, and considered it a testament of how much she must have loved Bill. Bill raised the crops and taught at various schools while Mary Jean stayed at home to raise their two children, Jason and JoEllen,  until they were both in Kindergarten. The community of Solon and Saint Mary Catholic Church had indeed become her new home.

Mary Jean went back to work at the University of Iowa in the Children's Hospital as a Medical Record Editor. She enjoyed her time there, but always took the necessary time off to attend important events for her children. She will be remembered by her children's classmates as the soccer mom with the wet towel to wipe down faces and bring oranges to replenish, "the band mom" who always traveled to auditions and performances, and the one who could always be counted on for bake sales and fundraisers for school functions.

She was also involved as a longtime member of Beta Sigma Phi, a service sorority organization. She thoroughly enjoyed time spent with her sisters as they provided material and financial support to several good causes, along with the fellowship of other beautiful ladies whom she remained friends with all her life. Even as her memory started to slip near the end of her days, she knew that a yellow rose was a sign of love and friendship from a sister from Beta Sigma Phi.

Mary Jean loved her hometown of Iowa City, and her beloved Hawkeyes. She could be seen at the Field House supporting her basketball team in her college years and beyond. She never missed a single home football game at Kinnick for decades, until her health declined enough she had to concede watching them on the television. One of her lifetime dreams was fulfilled when she was able to travel to Pasadena to attend the 1982 Rose Bowl parade and game with her family. Mary Jean could often be seen donning the black and gold even on a non-game day out of love for her Alma Matter.

After she retired from the University, Mary Jean had more time to concentrate on some of her hobbies and interests. Having learned to be a good cook from a line of good cooks, Mary Jean took great pride in her potluck contributions to parish functions. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and was able to make many beautiful items for her family and friends. She enjoyed crafting with the Ladies' group at the parish, along with trying to remember how to play card games from her youth. Mostly, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren as they visited, sharing stories and lots of hugs and kisses.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eugene & Minnie (Furguson) Davis and Byron & Ellen (Cronin) Dalton; her parents, Wallace E and Helen R (Dalton) Davis; infant aunt, Lois; uncle, Norman R Davis; and infant sister and brother.  She is survived by her husband, William J "Bill" Fabritz; children, Jason E (Amarilis Lugo Pagan) Fabritz and JoEllen (David) Ritchie; aunt, Racheal (Gangestad) Davis; and grandchildren, Christian, Gabrielle & Davis Ritchie and Victor & Nestor Fabritz Lugo.