Mary Jo Quartermaine

Mary Johanna Quartermaine of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Pinnacle Care Nursing Home on Monday March 10th, 2025, at the age of 78. MaryJo was born February 1, 1947 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Harry Quartermaine and Velma “June” (Whaley) Quartermaine. She grew up in Battle Creek and was a graduate of St. Philip Catholic Central. She spent several years in Cleveland, Ohio as an office manager before returning to her roots and her family in Battle Creek. 

An entrepreneur at heart, she began a catering business out of her home called “Incredible Edibles,” delivering brown bag lunches to local businesses and residences. Her business took off and in the 90’s she took her experience to Fort Custer and began cooking meals for military, police and youth challenge groups. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, many people were displaced and temporarily re-located here to the Ft. Custer Base in Battle Creek. Out of that base, MaryJo provided food relief. In partnership with her son Jeremy Kanaga, they worked 18 hour days for 30 days and fed 900 meals a day. She was a patriot and took her job very seriously. MaryJo could not have been more proud to serve our military and police personnel and was thrilled when Governor Jennifer Granholm made a visit to her kitchen to thank her for her service. MaryJo also catered many weddings and private events and was an avid gardener. She immensely enjoyed her time on the Battle Creek Garden Tour.

Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Kari Kanaga; four grandchildren, Ellie, Carter, Lola and Ruby Kanaga; sisters, Janet Garland of Battle Creek and Carol Davis of Wellston, Michigan, brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Carol Quartermaine of Augusta, Michigan and Jerry and Mary Quartermaine of Lilly Lake, Florida; along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

MaryJo was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and June; brother and sister-n-law, Frank and Mary Jane Quartermaine, and brother-n-law, Pete Garland.

Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care.  Personal messages for her family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com