Obituary of Mary Jane Shacklett

Mary Jane (Dean) Shacklett passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024.  She was born September 26, 1931 to John W. Dean, II and N. Virginia (Kunberger) Dean and lived in the Lawndale section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  

Mary Jane attended Abington Friends School in Jenkintown.  At school, she was a member of the field hockey and basketball teams as well as Art Editor for the “Acorn”.  After graduating in 1950, Mary Jane attended the University of Pennsylvania Nursing School until she married her beloved Jim (James H. Shacklett, Jr.) in 1951.  They were married 46 years upon his death in 1997.

Mary Jane, also known as Minnie, loved the shore and grew up spending several summers in Stone Harbor, New Jersey with her grandmother.  She worked at Springer’s Ice Cream Parlor in Stone Harbor but never liked ice cream until she was older.  

For the last twenty years Mary Jane traveled the world with family and friends having a home base in Jupiter, Florida. In Jupiter she enjoyed golfing, tennis and fishing but most of all thevisits from her family.  Two years ago, she moved up North to live with her daughter, Holly.

Minnie has been many things other than a wonderful Mom, Grandmother and great Grandmother.  Among them are Former Girl Scout Leader, Member of the Eastern Star, Former Member of the Board of Temple Children’s Hospital, and Chairman of the Board, National Label Company.  When her husband was alive, she supported his passions like Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. 

She is survived by her children, James H. Shacklett, III (Patti)and Dean R. Shacklett (Loretta), Nan V. Sweeney (Ed), and Holly Shacklett along with 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and Maxine the cat. 

The service and interment will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140.