Mary Jane O’Neall-Hewins

Mary Jane O’Neall-Hewins, age 52, passed away on January 14, 2023 at Select Specialty Hospital in San Diego, CA. She had suffered over many months battling multiple illnesses and passed peacefully holding the hand of her loving husband of 22 years, Darrell Hewins. Mary Jane (“Mary, MJ”) was born on June 28, 1970 to Delmar O’Neall and Carolyn “Jane” (Thompson) O’Neall. Mary Jane grew up in Bloomfield surrounded by a close and extensive multi-generational family including three older brothers, with many close friends including some that became lifelong friends and with the support that comes from a tight-knit small town community which included Bloomfield First Christian Church where she was a member.

Mary Jane graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1988. While she was in high school, Mary Jane was diagnosed with kidney disease and at the age of 18, after years of treatment, her mother, Jane, gave her the gift of life with the donation of one of her kidneys. This transplant saved her from having to go on dialysis and allowed her kidney function to be maintained for a rarity of over 34 years.

Mary Jane attended the University of Evansville and Indiana University graduating with a bachelors degree in 1994 and later a Graduate Certificate in Public Management in 2013. While attending college, Mary Jane began what would become an over 30 year career with the Navy starting at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.

In December of 1998, Mary Jane and the one who would become her “soul mate”, Darrell Hewins, began dating and later were married on July 15, 2000 at a ceremony at Bloomfield First Christian Church. They lived happily together in Bloomfield and later in Bloomington until they made the decision to leave the Midwest snow behind and move to sunny Southern California in 2015. They enjoyed every minute of their new adventure in California and were able to introduce family members to the paradise that they sought out including hosting Mary Jane’s mother for two winters. Mary Jane and Darrell had true love and absolute trust for each other and at the same time genuinely enjoyed each other’s company for over 22 years. Mary Jane was a warm, uplifting and giving person that will truly be missed by all in so many ways.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Jane and Delmar O’Neall and her nephew, Michael O’Neall.

Surviving relatives include her husband, Darrell Hewins of Encinitas, Calif. and their two beloved dogs; her aunt, Marilyn “Kay” (Thompson) Stone of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her three brothers, Bob (Beth) O’Neall, Brad O’Neall and Matt (Susan) O’Neall all of Bloomfield. In addition she is survived by a large extended family consisting of many nieces, grandnieces, nephews, grandnephews and cousins on her side of the family and her husband’s.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Bloomfield at a future date to be determined. The family has requested that any Memorial Contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation.