Obituary of Mary Jane Leja

Mary Jane (Skibo) Leja, 90, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

A life resident of Auburn, she was the daughter of the late Anna and Andrew Skibo and was a communicant of St. Hyacinth’s Church. After graduating from Port Byron High School, Mary Jane attended Auburn Business School and worked for an insurance office before returning home to help with her father’s towing and auto parts business (Skibo’s Auto Parts). A tireless worker brimming with boundless energy, a keen wit and a flair for fashion, she was exceptionally gifted at cooking and gardening, including growing her favorite hybrid tea roses. Daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother – Mary Jane relished and excelled at all of her roles throughout her life, and she will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

She is survived by her son, Andrew John (Jennifer) Leja; a granddaughter, Katarzyna Leja; a niece, Dolores (Robert) Delaney; a nephew, James (Sharon) Skibo; a sister-in-law, Rose Leja, and a nephew, John (Jill) Leja, all of Auburn; a niece, Patricia Wilczek, of Bedford, Texas; a nephew, Gerald (Kate) Wilczek, of Lake Forest, N.C.; a nephew, Michael Leja, of West Monroe, N.Y.; and a wonderful extended family of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and their children.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 42 years, Matthew John Leja, and their infant son, Matthew Mark Leja; sisters, Stella Wilczek, Julia Skibo, and Stephanie Skibo, and brothers, Julian, Charles, and John Skibo.

The family is deeply appreciative of and grateful to the angels at Finger Lakes Center for Living for the loving and compassionate care they provided to Mary Jane during her stay.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, in St. Hyacinth’s Church. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, at Farrell’s Funeral Home, 84 South St., Auburn. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Jane’s memory may be made to St. Hyacinth’s Church.