Mary Sellers Jaje

Mary (Sellers) Jaje, 85 of Fruitland Park, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2025, surrounded by family as our Lord Jesus extended His hand and gently received her into His heavenly kingdom. She was born on December 18, 1939, to Wilbert and Gerry Sellers on the Banbury Farm in Danville, Ohio. The house she was born in was built during the term of our 16th president – Abraham Lincoln and owned by her grandparents Hugh and Mary (Brewer) Banbury. The Banbury Farm was a "magical place" where Mary, her brother Paul, sister Linda and first cousin Gordon would be adventurous and play “make believe,” as if it were like the Land of Oz. The Banbury Farm was a place where Mary would later take her own family every summer until around 1990. Everyone visiting the farm would experience the true meaning of appreciating nature at its best. This included playing hide and seek, feeding the chickens and cows, gardening, finding arrowheads, drinking water from the natural springhouse, collecting wildflowers, fishing, making homemade ice cream, and enjoying July 4th firework shows with family and friends. After graduating high school in Loudonville, Ohio, Mary and her parents moved to Florida in 1957 to enjoy a much warmer climate and a newly growing central Florida. Mary soon joined the US Air Force in 1959 and traveled to Amarillo AFB for basic training. Subsequently, she was stationed at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where she received the distinction of Airman of the Month from Colonel Sewell. While serving, Mary had the honor of meeting and shaking hands with our 35th President, John F. Kennedy. She was also a member of the Pi Chi Sigma sorority within the Air Force. Within days of arriving at Otis AFB, she would meet the love of her life - Stan Jaje, originally from Philadelphia. They courted one another - finding love while spending time at Race Point Beach on Cape Cod. They married within one year of meeting each other, lasting 53 years. In the summer of 1965, Mary and Stan moved to Fruitland Park, Florida where they raised their four children, (John, Mike, Chrissie, and Theresa). She worked as a stay-at-home mom, while Stan worked in the ever-growing mobile home industry. Mary was the matriarch of the neighborhood. She was incredibly involved with her children's activities during and after school. She would pick up PIX colas from Publix for her sons' baseball games, make cupcakes for school events, participate in the Fruitland Park Town Carnivals, write about the town's history in 1976, including the town’s Prince Ivan Yevtich, aka Honest John (originally from Yugoslavia) who lived in" the castle" on Dixie Avenue. Mary worked part-time at St. Paul’s Catholic Church several years as Editorial Secretary for the church bulletin and served in the church's choir and volunteered for many other church events. Mary had a love for nature and wildlife. Neighbors (young and old) would bring her small animals of all types for rehabilitation. Mary was known for being a great seamstress, teaching her two daughters how to sew and was a great cook. Mary was a member of the Future Teachers’ Association. Mary had a natural talent for music and could play the piano without reading sheet music. She loved to attend rock concerts (Moody Blues, YES, Journey and Styx). She was an avid reader and to many, was a historian on most any subject. She had a quick-witted sense of humor. Her faith in Jesus was strong and always saw the best in people. Mary was well liked by the neighborhood kids (now adults). They would visit her often and especially during the holidays, including in her last days. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die… Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 (King James). Mary is now "Together Again" with Stan in heaven. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years (Stan - 2013), her parents Wilbert and Gerry Sellers, and brother Paul Sellers. She is survived by her four children, John Jaje - Ormond Beach, FL; Mike Jaje - Leesburg, FL; Chrissie Jaje - Raleigh, NC; and Theresa Jaje (Mark) McClendon - Groveland, FL; and grandchildren Jessica, JB, and Hunter McClendon - all of Florida. Other surviving family members include her sister Linda Sellers Taylor - Lady Lake, FL; first cousin Gordon Hughett (Marsha) – Marathon, TX; second cousin Nancy Hughett (Ron) Wituski - Columbus, OH; brother-in-law Ted Jaje - St. Inigoes, MD; and nephew Matt Jaje (Jennifer) - Wilmington, DE. The family wants to thank those involved in Mary's care during these past few years, with special thanks to Dr. Ronnie Sabbah and Dr. Peter Ankoh and other healthcare personnel. A memorial celebration will be held Wednesday, November 5th at 11:00a.m. at Beyers Funeral Home, 1123 West Main St, Leesburg, FL 34748. USAF Military Honors will follow at 1:00p.m. at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Mary Sellers Jaje

December 18, 1939 - October 2, 2025