Surrounded by her loving family, Mary Jane Bushnell passed peacefully from this world into the arms of her Lord and Savior, on Dec. 3, 2021, just one month shy of her 89th birthday.

“Mary Jane” as she was affectionately known by her family and friends, was born in Crowley, La. on Dec. 29, 1932. She graduated valedictorian of her class at LaGrange High School in 1951 and spent 32 years of her career with the Calcasieu Parish School Board as an administrative assistant, serving and supporting several different CPSB Superintendents before retiring.

Mary Jane and Elbert “Cotton” Bushnell were married on April 17, 1954. She was a devoted wife and mother, a devout Catholic, and member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish. Mary Jane and Cotton raised four sons and enjoyed visiting with their five grandchildren.

Mary Jane will be remembered most for her love of family and cooking. Nothing gave her more pleasure than having her family gather for one of her wonderful home cooked meals.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; and grandson, Aaron Michael Bushnell. She is survived by her husband, Elbert “Cotton” Bushnell; and four sons, Joseph Craig Bushnell and his wife Jeanine, James “Jimmy” Bushnell and his wife Mary, Gerald Tod Bushnell and his wife Sherril, David Paul Bushnell and his wife Jennifer. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Andrew, Thomas, Camille and Anna Bushnell.

The family held private services with a Mass of Christian burial performed by Msgr. Harry Greig with whom she shared a birthday.

The family would like to thank the staff of Christus St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, La., especially the fifth floor staff, emergency room doctors and nurses, and ICU staff, who treated our mother with the utmost respect, dignity, and compassion.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.