MJ Ledesma

Jan. 16, 1961 - May 2, 2024

Mary Jo Ledesma (Cummings), Olympia, WA. 1/16/1961-5/2/2024 Mary Josephine Cummings, known to her friends as MJ, was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She grew up in a large family with seven brothers and sisters, whom she held very dear throughout her life. Growing up, MJ was passionate about music and could often be found playing the piano or listening to records. She also loved the outdoors, leading to a life of hiking, camping, fly-fishing, foraging for chanterelles, and vacations with her husband, Roger, clamming, crabbing, and deep-sea fishing. She found joy attending festivals, watching Seattle sports, driving her dream car—a 1968 Camaro—with the top down, and cuddling up with her dog Miley to watch a movie. MJ lived much of her adult life on a small seven acre farm, caring for horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and her family. She loved gardening and tending to her greenhouse, where she grew the fruits and vegetables for homemade jams and preserves, which she gifted to friends and used in family recipes throughout the year. MJ loved to care for others through her culinary skills. She was a phenomenal chef and baker who spoiled anyone lucky enough to stay for dinner. She is survived by Trevor and Natalie Allen, the children from her previous marriage, who she frequently regarded as her “two greatest accomplishments” and by Roger Ledesma, the love of her life. MJ passed peacefully in her home on May 2nd, 2024. A small private ceremony will be held for close friends and family on May 25th. As a tribute to our frequent trips as kids, we hope that in lieu of flowers, friends and family will consider donating to Wolf Haven International (https://donorbox.org/donate-to-wolfhaveninternational?default_interval=o) in memoriam to our mom. To do so, follow the link and choose the “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” and write in MJ Ledesma.