Obituary of Mary Jane Sheets

Mary Jane Sheets Elmira: passed away on January 3, 2011 in Walnut Creek, California. She was an incredible mother and grandmother. Jane will always be remembered for dedicating her life to helping those in need. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Jane was born, along with her twin brother, Charles, on March 29, 1928 in Allentown, PA. They joined an older brother, Carl. At a young age, the family moved to Zionsville, PA. Her mother was an accomplished pianist and seamstress. Her father was a successful businessman. She began school in a one room school. During those years, she loved to go swimming in summer and ice skating in the winter. Her favorite memories were the weekend get-togethers with friends. When the Depression began, the family was able to open a store while other jobs were scarce. Her first job, out of the home & family store, was picking peaches and apples. Following graduation from Emmaus High School, she attended college and traveled to Washington DC to work for the Veterans Administration. While working in Washington DC, she began dating the Head Lifeguard at the Marine Corp swimming pool. In August of 1950, Richard Sheets married Mary Jane in Indianapolis, Indiana, in a wedding gown she designed and sewed. Together, they built their first home and bought her first car. After moving to another home and having two children, Kristi and Lisa, they moved to Elmira NY in 1960. A few years later, she began working part time at the Park Church in charge of Christian Education. In December 1965, she began working at the Economic Opportunity Program. Upon her retirement from the program, a Jane Sheets Day was declared in Elmira to honor her service to the community. Jane loved Elmira and was active in many community programs, both through her job and through her volunteer work. These included, Director of Christian Education at Park Church, Director of Grants Management at the Economic Opportunity Program, Tri-County Housing Council, Economic Development Grant, Mark Twain County Concept, Heritage Park, Elmira Senior Center, Family Services for Chemung County, Regional Community Housing Resources, Chemung & Schuyler County Human Services, Chemung & Schuyler County Human F.E.M.A., Glider City Work Camp, Past President of Chemung County Cornell Cooperative Extension Board of Directors ,Glove House , Tanglewood Nature Center and Volunteer Development at Elmira College. She is preceded in death by her parents, Axel and Carrie; her brothers, Carl and Charles; and Richard "Dick" Sheets. She is survived by her daughters, Kristi (Arnie) Schoenmoser, and Lisa (Ed) Glover; and her five grandchildren, Jessica (Mike) Riggs, Heather Schoenmoser, Daniel Glover, Stephanie Glover, and Kyle Glover; as well as several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut Sts., on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at The Park Church. Please join us in remembering and sharing the gift of her life. Those wishing to honor Jane's memory may contribute to The Park Church, the Humane Society, Autism Speaks, Glove House, or a charity of your choice.