Mary Jane Rapp Close

Very much in the way a Christmas candle illuminates an otherwise dark and dreary room so did Mary Jane light up the lives of those who knew and loved her. Mary Jane Rapp Close was born as the middle child of Earl and Betty Rapp on July 16, 1949, and went to live with the Lord on April 5, 2013. She was educated at Harding High School where she was a perennial “Class Favorite” and was “Home Coming Queen” her senior year. She attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in education. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority of which her mother, sister, daughter and niece were also members. Her crowning achievement, other than mothering three children, Nikki, Kelly and Bridgette, and adoring her grandchildren Brogan and Arden, was the founding and development of Raspberries’ N Crème and Nikkelettes Café. She derived the name of the Café by combining the names of her children. Raspberries was established 1982 in a small building near Wilshire and Western. After the opening she was joined by her dear friend Torri Green and then later on her own, developed and nurtured the bakery and tearoom into a landmark in Northwest Oklahoma City best known for her extraordinary cakes and pastries. Whether she was drawing freehand a portrait of Jackie Gleason, her dad’s favorite comedian, or inventing soul satisfying and waist line destroying recipes, she was quite simply the most original and creative person we have ever known. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her mother Betty E. Rapp and father Earl R. Rapp. She is survived by:Daughters: Nikki Griggs and Bridgette Close; Son: Kelly Griggs, his wife Tara and their children Arden and Brogan Griggs; Sister: Sally Story and her husband Scott Story. Nephew: Brandon Story, his wife Mykael and their children, Lauran, Ashleigh,Kourtney and Hunter. Nephew: Wayne Story, his wife Jennifer and their children Hailee, Hayden and Keaton. Nephew: Daryn Story, his wife Traci and their child Summit Rogers; Brother: Jimmy Rapp, his wife Cindi and their children Carey, Maggie and Charlie. Much like the Christmas candle whose flame eventually dims and is extinguished, Mary Jane’s light has also left us. Although our world will not be quite as bright, the memory of her light will remain and sustain us. And I am sure that there will be a joyous noise in Heaven when the Ribbon Cake is served for desert tonight. Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 10, 2014 at The Gate Church, 7700 N. Council Road, Oklahoma City, OK Reception directly after the services at: Raspberries’N Crème, 2925 Lakeside Circle, Oklahoma City, OK. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to Infant Crisis Services and Whiz Kids. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Jane Rapp Close please visit our Sympathy Store.