On October 2, 2022, Mary Jo Pelascini passed away quietly with her children by her side after an almost three-year battle with cancer at the young age of 69. She was born Mary Eggel on March 12, 1953 to Emil and Olga Eggel of Orick. She was the youngest of five siblings, preceded in death by her brother James and sister Kathleen, survived by brothers Thomas and Robert.

Since she was nine years old, she was active in 4-H and later FFA. She held offices in both organizations for many years. She raised a Reserve Champion Dairy, Junior Champion pig and Champion steer while in FFA. She was the FFA Chapter Sweetheart in 1971, and a 1971 graduate of Arcata High. Mary spent all but four years of her life in Humboldt County. Living in Orick, Arcata, Eureka and finally Ferndale. She had two children. Danniel Pelascini who currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas working for Lockheed Martin as an Aerospace Engineer and Julie Clark who currently lives in Grants Pass, Oregon where she’s a disabled combat veteran, with her husband, Mary’s favorite son-in-law: Bill Clark. Julie and Bill gave Mary three grandchildren: Forrest, Joseph and Bobbie Ann.

Mary worked a long time as a collection specialist at McMahan’s Furniture before switching over to the collections department at Coast Central Credit Union, where she retired four years ago. Halloween was her favorite holiday and she went all out every year. She won many local and work contests. She was also a key figure for the family’s yearly Thanksgiving reunion at the Swiss Hall. She shied away from no task.

Mary loved to dance, was an active member of the Moose Club, enjoyed country music, thrift shopping, remodeling her house and her three grandchildren.

There will be a gathering in her remembrance from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday October 29 at the Swiss Hall located at 5403 Tompkins Hill Rd, Loleta, CA 95551. Please just come as you are.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mary Pelascini’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.