Obituaries

Mary Jane Washburn, 92, of Middlebury

MARY JANE WASHBURN

MIDDLEBURY — Mary Jane (Reimer) Washburn, 92, died November. 18, 2023, in Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Middlebury. She was born on Dec. 25, 1930, as the youngest child to Charles and Helen Kinney Reimer. Her childhood and youth were spent in Fort Collins, Colo.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Mary Jane went on to graduate from The College of Wooster in 1953 with a degree in Education. She went on to teach for two years in Central New York. After, Mary Jane went on to achieve her Master’s in Christian Education from N.Y. Theological Seminary. It was during her studies, she met her future husband Knight Washburn, an ordained Presbyterian minister. They were married on Sept. 7, 1957, in Fort Collins.

They went on to move to Western New York, where they adopted three children. She was a wife and homemaker and actively assisted Knight in his ministries in churches in Garden City, N.Y., Franklinville N.Y., Chesterland, Ohio, and Niagara Falls, N.Y. Mary Jane and Knight went on to Vermont in 1992.

During her lifetime Mary Jane was active in and passionate about several charities, including P.E.O, Sweet Charity, and in later years Hospice Volunteer Services and The Wellspring Singers. She is preceded in death by her beloved brother Niles Reimer; her husband, Knight Washburn; and daughter Meredith Washburn. She is survived by sons Andrew Niles Washburn and Jonathan Reimer Washburn, three grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

A memorial service will be held at The Congregational Church of Middlebury, UCC at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. In lieu of flowers, Mary Jane requested memorial donations be sent to: Berea College, Church World Service, Endowment Fund of Shelburne Farms, Assistance Program Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church, or other charity of your choice. ◊

 

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