MARY J. HEWETT

Mary Jane Hewett, 78, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. M a r y wa s b or n on November 23, 1946, in Avon, to John and Thelma (Mitchell) Engel. She spent her childhood in Avon, where she created lasting friendships and cherished memories. In high school, MARY J. HEWETT Mary participated in Debate Club and was honored to be the Avon Pirates’ Homecoming Queen for the class of 1964. She met her husband, Ronald Hewett, on a blind date while they were both attending South Dakota State University. They were married on March 6, 1966, in Avon. Mary obtained her B.S. degree in Social Work in Brookings and later earned her master’s degree from Winona State University. In 1970, Ron and Mary made their home in Winona, MN. Mary was a stay-at-home mother while her children were young, but she always aspired to build a career of her own. She began working for the Winona County Extension Service in 1972, where she was involved in 4-H Youth Development programs. In 1976, Mary began her 32-year career at the Winona County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC). She had a strong passion for helping people with disabilities find meaningful work and improve their lives through social and recreational activities. Mary eventually became the DAC’s director and was a dedicated fundraiser for the program. She built community connections and earned the respect of business owners and city officials as a committed advocate for her clients. Most importantly, Mary loved her clients for who they were and for what they could achieve with the right support. Mary also served on the Citizen Review Panel for child protective services in Winona County. She took this volunteer role very seriously and worked hard to help keep children safe. At 60, Mary retired from the DAC to spend more time with her husband and grandchildren. Mary and Ron enjoyed several cruises and international trips with their travel group from Merchants Bank. She loved sewing, crafting, and caring for her family. Mary was known for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for those around her. She was a source of strength and compassion, always putting others before herself and leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. Mary’s earthly journey was rich and filled with love. She is survived by her children, Tonii (Joe) Simmons and Jon (Tracy) Hewett; grandchildren, Cullen Simmons, Aidan Simmons, Ty Hewett, and Marni Hewett; sister-in-law, Sharon Hewett; and her beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Hewett; her parents, John and Thelma Engel; her grandson, Kieran Simmons; her sister, Jan Johnson; her brothers-in-law, Jim Odens and Kenneth Johnson; and her sister-in-law, Virginia Holden. Following her wishes, a private family memorial service will be held.