Mary Jo Hunavy

Mary Joan Hunavy passed away December 10, 2016 in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Clarion, PA to the late Harry and Ada Wetzler Kimpel, she was a graduate of Clarion Area High School; Marion Junior College, Marion, VA in Home Economics; Theil College Greenville, PA with a Bachelor degree in the Social Sciences, specializing in History, Psychology, Theology and Education. Specialized training was received at the Lutheran Church for Church workers, Baltimore, MD.

She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred J. Hunavy; parents; sister, Helen; niece and nephews; and numerous cousins.

Mary Jo was a Certified Professional Church Worker. First position was at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Fargo, N. Dakota, as Parish and Youth worker; Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenville, SC as Parish Assistant and youth worker. Then she received a call for an executive position with the United Lutheran Church Women with National Offices in Philadelphia as assistant for Missionary Personnel. When the United Lutheran Church in America merged with three other National Lutheran groups, to become the Lutheran Church in America with offices in New York City, she received a call to join the executive staff of the Board of World Missions to serve as an associate for Missionary personnel, offices in New York City. After 9-years she resigned to do her graduate work at New York University, majoring in Personnel and Business Management. Upon completion, she was offered an executive position at the National Headquarters of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA then located in New York City, as Employment Manager and, also training programs.

When her husband’s company relocated to Jacksonville, the Hunavy’s became residents of Jacksonville Beach. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, when a new position was established at Bethlehem, she accepted their offer to do Administration work and to be Business Manager for the Bethlehem Lutheran Day Care Center. She retired in 2001. Later, the Hunavy's moved to Brookdale Cypress Village Retirement Center.

Services and burial will be at the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, near Kittanning, PA.