MARY JANE HUIZENGA

MONKTON — Mary Jane Huizenga of Monkton passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 6, 2024. Jane was born in East Orange, N.J., on May 25, 1932, to Martha Teresa and Benjamin Joseph Leech. She grew up in West Patterson, N.J., and completed high school at Passaic Valley Regional High School, where she met and “chased until he caught me,” Charles Raymond Huizenga Sr. They were married on Nov. 16, 1952, and started their family on a dairy farm in Newton, N.J. In 1967, the family, including Charlie’s parents and his brother, Ray, sold the farm in New Jersey and moved to the farm in Monkton, Vt.

Ever busy being the wife of a farmer and raising four boys, she was the farm bookkeeper, ran for parts, made thousands of gallons of iced tea during hay season and was even the barber for Charlie and the boys.

Public service was an important part of her life in Vermont, and Jane served in many capacities over the years, including supporting the Monkton Fire Department on the Ladies Auxiliary, serving on the school board, and as town auditor for many years. Jane also loved greeting people as the Assistant Monkton Postmaster for many years.

In her spare time, Jane was an avid knitter, and she collected yarn from various sources and knitted hundreds of baby hats for infants born at UVM Medical Center. She also loved her time with the “Red Hat” ladies!

Mary Jane is survived by her husband of 72 years, Charles Huizenga Sr.; four sons, Charles (Rosie) Huizenga Jr. of Monkton, Brian Huizenga of Ferrisburgh, David (Robin) Huizenga of Monkton, and Alan (Melodie) Huizenga of Bristol; as well as ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and sixteen nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Frank Leech and Robert Leech. When asked about her siblings, she would always say “Frank, Bob and Mary Jane is a pain!”

The family would like to thank the many home health aides from Addison County Home Health and Hospice, as well as the staff at Elderly Services in Middlebury.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., at St. Peter’s Church, Vergennes, Vt., to be immediately followed by a celebration of life at the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monkton Volunteer Fire Department, 3747 States Prison Hollow Road, Bristol, Vt.  05443. ◊