Mary Clare Dodge

Mary Clare (Jannett) Dodge left us on her own terms on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. It’s incalculable how many meals she lovingly prepared or how many lives she touched along the way.

She was born in Duluth, MN, on September 8,1936, to Paskie “Pat” and Pearl (Lanthier) Jannett. Mary was preceded in death by her grandchildren Alexander Wood and Aurora Dodge.

She is survived by her children, in birth order, Maria (Jim) Wood, Pat (Deanna) Dodge, Nina - third times the charm - (Bill) Simonowicz, Phil (Suzanne Erdmann) Dodge, Mike (Diana) Dodge, and Clare - saved the best for last - (Darren E. Hill) Dodge. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Skyrae (Dodge) (Blaze Jr.) Campanella, Max (Danny Poynton) Simonowicz, Zach (Hayley Cormack) Wood, Jakob Ziells, and Angelina and Audrey Dodge. Her brother Carl (Diane Zanter) Jannett and sister Carmen Capron remain, along with many nieces and nephews; several of whom she was honored to serve as Godmother.

Education and teaching were central to Mary’s life. She attended Emerson Elementary, Stanbrook Hall High School, and University of Minnesota - Duluth. She earned a degree in Home Economics and a Master’s Equivalent degree in Special Education, focusing on Emotional and Behavior Disorders. Mary taught in Minneapolis, Eveleth, and Duluth, Minnesota; where she dedicated herself to shaping young lives with patience and care.

Mary was active in her church and community. She was a member of the St. Peter’s Catholic Church Women’s Group and the Italian American Ladies Auxiliary. She was previous a member of the Arrowhead Home Economists, University Women, Duluth Area Retired Educator Association, and Beta Sigma Phi - Beta Iota Chapter.

Mary had a keen love the arts and was delighted to take in a theatre performance whether it was a local play, a musical at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, or a Broadway show. She was a devoted reader and even started her own book group. Her wanderlust found her traveling across the United States, Europe, and Thailand.

Mary was known for her card-sending vocation, filling mailboxes with her exemplary and heartfelt sentiments. Many believed that Mary, and the prayer group she was a member of, had a direct line to God; and that the power of their prayers was transformative.

Friends - and strangers she would love to have met - are invited to gather with Mary’s family at Dougherty Funeral Home on Saturday, November 1st.

Visitation: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Service: 11:00 am

Luncheon: 12:00 pm

Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery