Mary Jane McKean

Mary Jane McKean, 95, passed away Wednesday, June 24th, surrounded by family at her lake house in Pennsylvania. Mary Jane was born in Alexandria, Virginia on February 13th,1931 to Charles Cecil Wall and Marguerite Wall. She grew up on the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon where her father was Resident Director. Jane graduated from Alexandria High School and then continued on to the National Cathedral School in Washington DC for a post-graduate year. She met her future husband, James McKean, on a blind date at the College of William and Mary. Jim went back in the Navy when the Korean War started, and by luck and good fortune was stationed at the American Embassy in London as a communications attaché. Perhaps the most important communication he ever wrote was a telegram to Jane: “London wonderful. Marry me.” And, reader, she did. She sailed to London on the Queen Mary and they were married at London City Hall on September 7, 1951. Their daughter Elizabeth Ann was born there. They returned to the States and welcomed their second child, James, in 1953. Jane and Jim moved to Chappaqua, NY where Charles was born in 1956 and Patricia in 1958. Jane went back to college at Pace University, and then got a graduate degree at Manhattanville College, before embarking on a career as a library specialist at the Chappaqua Library. Jane and Jim took full advantage of living outside of NYC, attending the operas on Sunday afternoons and visiting all the museums. In 1963 Jim’s mother, Janet, bought a house on Lake Wesauking in Bradford County, Pennsylvania near Towanda, where she and her husband grew up. The family has so many wonderful summer memories over the years. Swimming, sailing, yard games, walking around the lake, and many cocktail conversations on the front porch. All followed by delicious meals on the eating porch. Jane continued spending summers at the Lake after both her mother-in-law and husband passed away. No matter where Jane was, her heart was always on the front porch at the Lake house. Jane moved to the Gables in Rutland, VT in 2015 to be closer to her daughter Tricia and son-in-law Tom Huebner. Jane liked nothing better than getting in the car and exploring Vermont – from lunch at Simon Pearce or Café Provence, to shopping in Woodstock and Manchester, attending concerts and the Met Opera Live at the Paramount, or just driving along the beautiful backroads through the mountains. Jane is survived by her three children Betsy McKean, Jim Mckean, and Tricia Huebner; grandchildren Thomas McKean, Charlie McKean, Graham McKean, Jack McKean, Caroline McKean, Alex Means, and their families; step-grandchildren Dan Means, Kevin Means, Ben Huebner, and Emily Huebner Dehn and their families. She is also survived by a multitude of great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister Patricia (Patsy), her husband Jim, and her son Charlie. To say Jane was well-loved is an understatement. She inherited, and then passed on, that greatest of human attributes, intellectual curiosity; just about any subject was worth finding out about and exploring. She made friends readily. Jane preferred not to dwell on people’s shortcomings; she brought out the best in everyone. Hers was a long life, well lived, from the first day to the very last. Special thanks to the medical professionals at RRMC, especially in PCU and the Emergency Room; the Rutland Area Visiting Nursing and Hospice; the Guthrie Hospice; Valley Homecare. It took a village at the end and our family was blessed with a village filled with compassion, and loving and professional care. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to RAVNAH, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT 0570l; or The Lake Wesauking Association Conservation Fund, 138 Wesauking Drive, Towanda, PA 18848. There will be no calling hours. There will be a celebration of life on Labor Day weekend at her home on Lake Wesauking. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.

Mary Jane McKean

February 13, 1931 - June 24, 2026

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Mary Jane McKean

February 13, 1931 - June 24, 2026

365 Days of Grief Support

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