Mary Jane Lewis

Boardman- Mary Jane Lewis, 81, died on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Assumption Village. She was born on July 14, 1935 in Youngstown, to the late, Frank B. and LaVerne Jones Lewis and lived her entire life in the Mahoning Valley.

She was raised in Youngstown and attended Youngstown Public Schools. Mary Jane later moved to Poland, where she graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1953. Mary Jane continued her education at Youngstown College, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1957. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from Westminster College in 1965.

Mary Jane began her teaching career at Monroe Elementary School in Youngstown, where she taught from 1957-1969. She was one of the first elementary school teacher hired when North Lima and Greenford Schools combined and became the South Range School System in 1969. She taught in Greenford for three years and had an opportunity to transfer to the North Lima Building in 1972. Mary Jane finished her teaching career in 1986 at North Lima and was named one of the outstanding educators in America in 1970.

She was a loyal and active member of Boardman United Methodist Church, a leader of the Sarah Circle at the church and a member of many of the church committees. She was a life member of the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association and the Mahoning Retired Teachers.

Mary Jane was a life member of The National Gymanfa Ganu Association. She attended more than 30 National Ganu Songfests. She was a member of the Youngstown St. David's Society and received The Welsh Woman of the Year Award in 1990 from the St. David's Society. Mary Jane was a member of the Women's Welsh Clubs of America and the local Calon Lan Welsh Club. Her other club affiliations were the Youngstown Panhellenic Association, the Amaranth and a life member of the Phi Mu.

She was an avid Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan and enjoyed swimming, bowling, gardening and walking in Mill Creek Park.

Mary Jane was surrounded by family, friends and neighbors right up to the end and will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 12noon at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St. Boardman, with the Rev. Jerry Kruger officiating. Burial will follow in Lake Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be prior to the service from 10am-11:45am on Tuesday at the funeral home.

The family would appreciate flowers, however anyone wanting to, may make a memorial donation to Hospice of the Valley, 9803 Sharrott Rd. Poland, OH 44514.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolencs.