LEMINGTON – Mary Jane Walker, 78, of Lemington, died on Sunday evening, February 4, 2024, at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester after a period of ill health.
She was born in West Stewartstown on March 22, 1945, a daughter to the late Shirley and Leona ‘Tommy’ (Owen) Noyes. Mary Jane attended schools in Colebrook and was a 1963 graduate of Colebrook Academy.
Following high school, she attended hairdressing school and maintained her own business for many years wherever she resided. She married shortly after school and was a military wife, with moves to Germany, Hawaii, and later settling for many years in Andover. Mary Jane was an avid swimmer in high school and taught all of her sons to swim. In retirement, she returned to the north country in 1998 and settled at the top of Todd Hill in Lemington.
Mary Jane loved finding the beauty in things. Growing brilliant flower gardens and collecting various antiques were two of her lifelong passions. Cooking for her family was another source of joy in her life, and one of the things that everyone will remember about Mary Jane. For years she never bought a bread product from the store, and she had a dessert made for every meal. Mary Jane loved music from the 50’s and 60’s and never missed a chance to show off her dance moves for a crowd. Attending class reunions with her Colebrook Academy friends was an event she would talk about for weeks after. She loved to sew, knit and crochet socks for her grandchildren for Christmas.
Mary Jane was a woman of fierce and unchanging opinions and was more than happy to share her views with anyone within earshot. She was unafraid to tackle obstacles, whether those be attaching new equipment to her computer or calling the CEO of a major appliance company demanding a replacement for a 4-year-old oven. She had no problem explaining to a butcher how meat should be cut or asking a restaurant for a secret salad dressing recipe even after they explained it was ‘secret.’ Watching Mary Jane play croquet was almost as entertaining as listening to her try and talk with an automated phone system. People who knew Mary Jane are undoubtedly aware of her parting catch phrase of ‘Bite your …’ which was the response given to anyone she felt that deserved it. Mary Jane was civic-minded as well, and she served as the tax collector for the Town of Lemington , and she served on the town’s school board.
Mary Jane is survived by her husband of 45 years, Daniel Walker of Lemington; her four sons, Michael Edwards of Manchester; Mark (Sherry) Edwards of Carrollton, Texas; Eric Edwards of Massachusetts; and Palmer Edwards of Portsmouth, NH; two sisters, Harriet Ladd of South Burlington, Vermont; Cindy (Robert) Bissonnette of Lebanon, NH; and 11 grandchildren.
Mary Jane was a loyal friend, a dedicated mother and a loving wife. She will be missed.
There are no public calling hours. A graveside interment service will be held later in 2024 in the Colebrook Village Cemetery, of which notice will be given. Condolences may be offered on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Jane Walker please visit our Sympathy Store.