Avis de décès de Mary-Frances Jones - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

Mary Frances She was born on October 5, 1915, to William Lodwick and Lou Ault Jones at their home, 406 College Avenue, Odessa, NY. She is survived by her sisters, Anna Edwards of Avoca, NY and Myrtle Steffen of Montour Falls, NY. Mary is predeceased by her parents; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul (Eunice) and Charles (Elizabeth); and her brothers-in-law, Edward Edwards and Curtis Steffen. Mary was a member of the 1931 Odessa High School Girls Championship Basketball team, which was inducted into the OMCS Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating from Odessa High School, Mary continued her education and graduated from Ithaca College in 1939. She was the Class of '39 secretary/treasurer. Following her graduation, she taught Physical Education in Williamson, NY, from 1939 to 1948. Upon hearing of the bombing of Hiroshima, she was moved to go to Japan through the Methodist Church's missionary program. She went to the Hiroshima Girls' School as a missionary-teacher in 1948-1951. To these girls, Mary was highly respected, more than a teacher, she was a mentor and advisor and to some the mother that they had lost in the bombing. Many of them were still in touch with Mary on an almost daily basis - sending her cards, letters and gifts staying abreast of her activities and her well being. Mary returned home in 1951 when her mother was ill and passed away. She obtained a masters degree in Religious Education from Union Theological Seminary. Mary also took courses at the Teacher's College, Columbia University and Scarritt College in Nashville, TN. In 1959, she returned to Japan for five more years. She helped to rebuild the destroyed Aikoen Social Center, as a service to the buraku residents of Fukushima-cho (It is now called the Christian Social Center). Mary established a scholarship program for the children from the group to be educated; she also established a day care center and a counseling program through the social center. After returning home to the States, she worked as a guidance counselor for the Newark City Hospital School of Nursing (Martland Medical Center). Following her "retirement", she returned to the family home on College Avenue in Odessa and involved herself with her church, the Odessa United Methodist, and dove into local community affairs. She was a pivotal force in establishing Schuyler County's Environmental Management Council; she worked with Mary German to develop the Village of Odessa's Recycling Center. She organized and established several groups that are still active in the county: the Interfaith Peace Group; Earth Day; and My Mother's Garden Club. She was a longtime member of the Village Planning Board and worked tirelessly in helping to update the Village's Zoning Ordinance. Mary was presented the National Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award on August 22, 1996 for her years of work toward world peace. Mary was honored by the Schuyler County Legislature in 2002 for her environmental activism, including her service on the county's Environmental Management Council and Solid Waste Management Council. Mary was an "action" person - whenever and wherever she saw something that needed to be taken care of - she was writing a letter and calling the people to voice her opinion and she followed up - she provided whatever assistance she could to any issue. Mary stated in a pamphlet, "Awakening The Adventure for Peace", "The test of the ability of one individual to change the course of the future, can best be measured by how many minds become aware of their ability to develop a courageous 'new manner of thinking' (Albert Einstein), and commit themselves to take an active part in the survival of our planet. The cynic within us asks, "but what can one person do?" That person will never know the answer until he or she tries." February 1987; Hiroshima, Japan. Mary never complained about her health concerns - she always looked at the blessings of her life and was thankful for all she had been able to do. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Vedder and Scott Funeral Home, 534 Church Street, Odessa, NY, on Friday, November 12, 2004, form 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Odessa United Methodist Church. The family requests that donations can be made in Mary's name to the Odessa United Methodist Church, 305 Church Street, Odessa, NY 14869, or to the Schuyler County Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 2, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.