MARIJANE JONES

     Marijane Jones, 96, died at Notre Dame Nursing Center, on January 17, 2016. Born in Worcester on December 16, 1919, to Francis H. and Margaret (Colby) Jones, she graduated from Classical High School and Mass. State College (now UMass) in 1941 with a degree in chemistry. After obtaining an additional degree in Medical Technology in 1942 at Worcester City Hospital, she worked there for a year before moving to Stamford, CT, where she was a research biochemist until 1950 at American Cyanamid Company.

Changing careers, she earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University in 1954. A student placement at Worcester Children’s Friend Society (now known as Children’s Friend) led to her remaining there as a caseworker, then supervisor, Director of Casework, and finally Assistant Executive Director, retiring in 1989.

Marijane’s work was dedicated to creation of families through adoption. She was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Adoption and Foster Care in 1972. In Girl Scouts from age 10, she was in the final group to receive the Golden Eaglet award. She was a Girl Scout leader in both Stamford and Worcester. In 1992, she was one of the seven founders and the first treasurer of Worcester Institute for Senior Education, affiliated with Assumption College.

She was a long time member of First Baptist Church. Marijane lived in West Boylston then in Worcester before retiring to Briarwood Retirement Community in 1997 with her good friend, Jean Griesheimer, who predeceased her in 2000. At Briarwood, Marijane was active in the Residents Association, serving several years as secretary. She volunteered formally and informally to help others through many acts of kindness. Marijane was a life-long Red Sox fan and she often said that her joys in life were traveling, crossword puzzles, knitting, reading, learning, and, above all, people. She carried her humorous wit with her into the last years of her life. Her life is celebrated by friends who will miss her dearly, and by Jean’s nephew, John Taylor, his wife Darcy, and their three daughters, and by all who cared for her. She would want to thank Carolyn Miller for her friendly caregiving, Right-at-Home Senior Care, the staff at Briarwood and Knollwood, and the staff at Notre Dame du Lac and Nursing Center who lovingly escorted her into her last days.

Marijane’s funeral service will be held in the Davis Chapel of the First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave. on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 10:00 am, followed by burial in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Following the cemetery service there will be a collation in the church hall. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Friend, WISE (at Assumption College), Briarwood Retirement Community, or Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, all of Worcester, Mass. Arrangements are in the care of CALLAHAN~FAY~CASWELL Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St.