Mary Jo Rains, 86, passed away on January 11, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of charm, wit, and timeless elegance. Born to Russell & Audra Rains on December 14, 1938, in Hutsonville, IL, she grew up surrounded by the simple beauty of rural life, which shaped her love for local history and community.
Mary Jo was a woman of style and grace, always impeccably dressed, her jewelry sparkling as brightly as her personality. Though she possessed a dry humor and spoke her mind with bold candor, her warmth endeared her to those who knew her. She spent many years caring for her parents and cherished the vibrant flowers in their garden.
A lover of antiquing, she had a keen eye for treasures and once ran an antique shop from her home, sharing her knowledge and passion with others. She was also an avid crocheter, creating scarves, doilies, and dishcloths that she often gave as heartfelt gifts. Her love for animals was evident in her affection for cats and dogs, especially her cherished kitties, whose photos kept them close to her heart.
In the twilight years of her life, she loved driving through the West York and Hutsonville countryside with her caretaker and friend, Becky, reminiscing about the past and dreaming of a future filled with lottery winnings from a scratch-off, which she bought with the same hopeful excitement each time, always convinced the next ticket might be the one to change her life.
Whether she was finding beauty in an antique, creating thoughtful gifts through crochet, or sharing a hopeful laugh over a scratch-off ticket, Mary Jo Rains wove together a life that was entirely her own. Though her journey has come to an end, her spirit lives on in the cherished memories of her family and friends.
Mary Jo is survived by her cousins, Jim Rains of West York, IL, the Doug Newlin family of Hutsonville, IL, and the Michael Bandy family of Thomasboro, IL, along with many treasured friends, including her devoted caretaker, Becky Stephens, and her husband Randy of Robinson, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sandra L. (Rains) Mueller.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date in the Hutsonville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the “Crawford County Humane Society”, reflecting her lifelong love of animals. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements. For more information, or to share a memory or condolence online, please visit www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com.
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