Mary Jane (Washburn) Fenton

JERSEY SHORE - Mary Jane Fenton, 102, died Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Manor Care, Jersey Shore. 

She was born on January 28, 1917 in Winton, PA, the daughter of the late George Isaac and Anna (Caines) Washburn.  She was raised in Winton and after High School Graduation, enrolled in the Episcopal Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia.  She then accepted a position as a Registered Nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia.  She married the Reverend Arthur K. Fenton in 1939.  They moved to West Virginia, where Mary Jane took a position as School Nurse, while her husband was the Rector of St. Albans and Charleston parishes.

In 1943, they moved to the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and lived in Jeanette, PA.  Mary Jane took a nursing position at Greensburg Hospital.  In 1950, she moved with her family to Lock Haven, where she worked in Lock Haven Hospital, while Arthur was Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and other churches in the area considered to be “missions” at that time.

Mary Jane and Arthur moved to Jersey Shore in 1956, where she worked at the Jersey Shore Hospital, while he was Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church.  Later, Mary Jane became Superintendent of the hospital in Jersey Shore.

In 1970, she took the position of Director of Nursing at the Susqua-View Home in Lock Haven.  In 1974, Mary Jane attended courses at the Pennsylvania State University and other educational programs.  She passed her Nursing Home Administration Examination and became Nursing Home Administrator at Leader Nursing Home (now Manor Care) in Jersey Shore.  She retired from this position in 1980.

Mary Jane has been a very active member of Trinity Episcopal Church for over fifty years.  She has frequently been on the Vestry and has a long history of assisting with most aspects of church activities, including Altar Guild and St. Catherine’s Guild.  She was also a member of the Jersey Shore Library Board and of the Endowment Memorial Committee.

Mary Jane maintained a large correspondence and enjoyed letter writing and reading.  She was particularly good at needle point and completed many projects, especially a banner at Trinity Episcopal Church, a project she shared with her daughter.  She loved to paddle her canoe on Pine Creek in years past, plus taking daily walks, which she did well into her later years.

She was predeceased by her husband, the Reverend Arthur K. Fenton, in 1974, also by three brothers, George, David and Norman Washburn, one sister, Florence W. Jones, one granddaughter, Beverly Aurand and by her good friend, Jack Thornton of Lock Haven.

She is survived two daughters, Mary Ella Aurand and Beverly J. Porter, both of Jersey Shore, one son, A. Kirk Fenton of Williamsport, two granddaughters, Rebecca A. Emig (David Myska) of Sugar Land, TX and Abbey J. Porter of Philadelphia, two grandsons, Jeffrey E. Aurand of Rochester, NY and Christopher F. Porter (Jessica) of Germany, also, three great grandsons, two great granddaughters, three great-great granddaughters, two great-great grandsons and other family members.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 174 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Jersey Shore with her priest, the Reverend Veronica Donahue Chappell officiating.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Mary Jane Fenton Memorial Fund of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Jersey Shore.

Arrangements are being handled by Rearick-Carpenter Funeral Home, Jersey Shore.

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