CORNWALL — Mary Jane Broughton, 70, wife, mother, teacher and mentor, passed away Saturday evening, March 5, 2022, in Colchester.

Mary Jane was born in Middlebury on Nov. 17, 1951. She was the daughter of Charles and Frances (Towle) Boardman. She grew up in Cornwall and graduated from Middlebury Union High School, class of 1969. 

Mary Jane furthered her education by getting her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with dual specialties in education and special education at Castleton State College. Mary Jane taught at Bristol Elementary School for over 40 years and officially retired in 2017. She taught kindergarten for most of those years and loved the little kids. 

Once Mary Jane retired, she never stopped teaching. She became the teacher at two preschools and continued as the transitional coordinator between preschool and kindergarten. Mary Jane taught, encouraged, and mentored other teachers as she continued her education in best teaching practices and techniques. She was a dedicated teacher who loved children and loved to see them grow. Always a positive person, Mary Jane could find the good in everything and everyone.

Over her lifetime Mary Jane served on many committees, civic organizations and charitable functions. She served on the Board at Helen Porter Health and Rehabilitation Center and was recently a board member of the Addison County Readers organization, an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which locally expanded to include preschoolers in Addison County. Mary Jane had recently been invited to serve on the board at Addison County Home Health & Hospice. She loved the outdoors, golfing, walking with friends and gardening. She also was an avid Denver Broncos fan.

She is survived by her loving family, husband Michael Broughton of Cornwall, whom she married July 20, 1974; two sons, Benjamin Broughton and Amanda Rubin of South Salem, N.Y., and Loyal Broughton of Winooski; two grandchildren, Jackson and Allison Broughton; and several cousins. She was predeceased by her parents.

A gathering in celebration of her life will take place on March 26 at the Middlebury VFW from 3-5 p.m. A private graveside committal service and burial will take place at a later date in the family lot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Middlebury.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to Addison County Readers (addisoncountyreaders.org) or to Addison County Home Health & Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.◊