Obituary of Mary Jo Drennan

Mary Jo Keiper Drennan (known as Joby), age 84, died on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, Virginia. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on October 22, 1933 to Jean (Misch) and Rev. Joseph Keiper, she spent much of her younger life as the daughter of a range pastor, living in various places around the country, finally settling in Deland, Florida. She graduated from Stetson University, and served in the Marine Corps ROTC and later the Marine Corps where she attained the rank of second lieutenant. She married James William Drennan on October, 3 1959, and they lived in Iran, Australia, and traveled the world before finally settling in Somerset, New Jersey. She was very active in the Presbyterian Church of Somerset, NJ, teaching nursery school and singing in the choir. James and Mary Drennan retired to Magdalena, New Mexico in 2000. There she was active in the Magdalena Community Church, singing in the choir, working with the food bank and second-hand store, and serving as a deacon and elder. She is predeceased by her husband James, sister Barbara, and brother John; she is survived by her sister Ruth in Flagler Beach, Florida. She is likewise survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Daniel, Andrew (Ceci; grandsons Nicolas and Patrick), James (Diana; granddaughters Emily and Madeleine), Ruth (Scott; granddaughter Josie), and Ian (Kim; granddaughters Kaitlynne, Meaghan, and Tori). The Drennan family would like to extend its gratitude to the town of Magdalena and the community of love and support it provided our parents while they lived there. A memorial service will be held at Somerset Presbyterian Church on JFK Blvd., Somerset, NJ, on Tuesday, January 2, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joby's name to the Somerset Presbyterian Church.