Mary-Jean Yockey

Mary Jean Helen (Czysz) Yockey, age 90, of Temecula, CA. passed away on June 7th, 2013 at her home, surrounded by family. “Jean” was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jean was born November 13, 1922 in Charlotte, MI. Her father was Frank Thomas “Doc” Czysz, DDS and her mother was Thela Bottomley Granger Czysz. Jean was raised in North Tonawanda, NY and attended North Tonawanda High School, graduating in 1940. She attended the University of Michigan and the University of Buffalo. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from California State University San Diego. Jean married the late Donald Jay Yockey of Tonawanda, NY, December 29, 1945 in North Tonawanda. While Don was in the Air Force, they traveled extensively and relocated their family to California. While raising her four daughters, Jean also worked as a substitute teacher. An animal enthusiast, Jean loved spending time at her ranch, Calli’s Flying Y Ranch, in Garner Valley, CA. There she raised quarter horses and was a Lifetime Member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Her horses competed in multiple events. She also loved and raised German Shepherd dogs. She loved cooking, was an avid reader but most of all loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her four loving daughters, Cheryl Jean Watkins of La Habra Heights, CA, Christine Jay Updyke (Tim) of Temecula, CA, Cynthia Joan Weaver-Blaine (Joseph) of Temecula, CA and Carin Jane Yockey-Shuler (Jack) of Corona, CA, her ten beloved grandchildren and ten adored great- grandchildren, her sisters Shirley Bowman of North Tonawanda, NY and Kathleen Getman of St. Augustine, FL as well as multiple loving nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was predeceased in death by her husband, the Honorable Donald Jay Yockey, her brother, Frank T. “Buddy” Czysz, Jr. of North Tonawanda, NY and her sister D. Jacqueline Stevens of Niagara, NY. Services will be conducted at England Family Mortuary, 27135 Madison Ave., Temecula, CA 92590. Pastor Art Blodgett will be officiating. Viewing will be held June 17th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life Service will be June 18th at 10:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at the Riverside National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Reception will immediately follow at Gourmet Italia in Temecula. Flowers are welcome though the family has also designated that Memorial contributions may be sent to the Humane Society of the United States, the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Lung Association and the VNA California Murrieta Hospice, 39815 Alta Murrieta Dr. Ste C #8, Murrieta, CA 92563.