Mary Jean (MJ) Weinert Pariott was born February 28, 1933 on a homestead farm outside Falls City, NE to Harold and Verena Weinert. She was raised on an active dairy farm with the twice daily ritual of milking cows as well as raising pigs, chickens, and horses, cultivating hay, corn, and beans, and tending fruit trees and a large vegetable garden to fill the root cellar with year-round supplies. A cheerful demeanor inspired her father to nickname her “Mary Sunshine.” She attended a one-room country schoolhouse through the 8th grade and graduated from Falls City High School in 1950. Her family greatly valued education and she was one of a small minority of women born during the Great Depression to attend college. She met her husband of 58 years, Jack, at Westmar College in LeMars, IA where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Rather than follow Jack immediately to seminary, MJ insisted upon a teaching job and supporting herself for two years before marrying at Bethel EUB Church, adjacent to the family farm, in 1956. She continued to teach part-time until her third child was born. Admiring of her independent spirit, Jack often referred to her as “the original liberated woman.” A skilled seamstress, MJ made her own silk wedding gown and judged FFA garments at the county fair. She was active in professional women’s organizations and taught adult Sunday School class at the churches Jack and she served in Wabasso/New Avon, Albright/Lind in Marshall, Salem in Blue Earth, and Grace in Paynesville. They retired to Chandler, AZ in 1993 and achieved MJ’s dream of purchasing her own home in 1998.
Aided by hospice medical care and compassionate personal care, MJ died per her wishes at home on September 2, 2023 with her devoted small dog standing guard. Her only sorrow was living her final nine years without Jack by her side. She is preceded in death by her husband, beloved parents, stepmother, Alice, and youngest brother, Jimmy (who passed shortly after birth). She is survived by children Mark (Tammy) Parriott of Newton, IA, Ruth (David Willoughby) Parriott of St. Paul, MN, and Joel (Laurie Mignone) Parriott of Chevy Chase, MD, grandchildren Trent (Ashley) Parriott of Scottsdale, AZ, Brant (Kelly) Parriott of West Des Moines, IA, Marne (Eric) Craver of Topeka, KS, Cooper Parriott of St. Paul, MN, and Jake Parriott of Chevy Chase, MD, and great granddaughters MJ, Addison, Ava, and Everly. She also leaves three close siblings: Paul (Mary Jane) Weinert of Falls City, NE, Virginia (Harold) Gesell of Spencerport, NY, and Charles Weinert of Chandler, AZ, as well as many loving sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held for Mary Jean on October 7 at 1:00 pm at Zion Bethel Cemetery east of Falls City.
Memorials may be directed to: Holy Cross Hospice, 6124 E Brown Rd, Ste 101, Mesa, AZ 85205.
