Pendl, Mary Jane

Dedication: To a woman who has shown not only her family, but also her community, the importance of love, dedication, family and pride.

On January 23rd we are delighted to celebrate the 90th birthday to a spectacular mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and wife - Mary Jane Pendl. In the Bronx on January 23, 1929 Mary Jane was born to Jane and George Thompson. As Mary Jane grew up she later married the love of her life Francis X. Pendl, a dedicated firefighter, Arson Investigator and Fire Service Instructor. Upon moving to Bethpage to begin their lives Mary Jane and Francis welcomed 12 beautiful children - Tom, Doug, Cliff, Rick, Pat, Mary Jane, Pricilla, Pam, Stephen, Pete, Alison and Kurt. As time goes on Mary Jane, also referred to as "Chick" by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, continues to dedicate her days providing her loving touch to various parts of family and community. Mary Jane provided care for her mother, Jane, (who passed at 102 years old) and special needs sister Nancy (who passed at 76 years old). Mary Jane and Francis became heavily involved in the Bethpage Fire Department and Auxiliary contributing time and love to their community. As years continue to pass, Mary Jane and her family unfortunately suffered a heavy loss of her husband Francis in 2004, grandson Nicolas in 2014 at the age of 19 and her eldest son Thomas in 2017, however Mary Jane gathered herself and continues to present love, enthusiasm, pride and education to her family and community. Mary Jane continues to work alongside the Bethpage Fire Department as active member of the Bethpage Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Nassau County Burn Center committee member, and Prestigious Board Member of the Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Fire Fighter Museum and Education Center. Along with those councils Mary Jane is also an active member of the Bethpage Community Council, active volunteer for Central Park Historical Society and member of St. Martin of Tours Parish, all while raising her twelve children and caring for her extended family.

At 90 years old, Mary Jane still resides in Bethpage after 69 years and continues to provide immense support and appreciation to the town of Bethpage and other organizations. As she turns the page over from 89 to 90, her family and friends would like to express their sincere love, appreciation, respect, and pride for the impact she has made on their lives. With a humble word we cannot be more proud of the woman she has grown into and the obstacles she has overcome. Another year older, another year wiser and looking more amazing than ever, Mary Jane will always leave you with a smile, warm heart, and Entenmann's in hand. After all, age is just a number. "Life isn't about the years you live but the memories you've created in those years".

This tribute to Mary Jane was written by her granddaughter Paige Pendl which appeared in the BETHPAGE TRIBUNE - January 25, 2019