Birth date: Mar 14, 1947 Death date: Mar 15, 2026
Jane Patricia McDonald passed away on March 15, 2026. She was born on March 14, 1947, in Barberton, Ohio, to Walter Joseph Mason and Georgiana Ruth Scudder, both originally from New Jersey. Jane grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland, Read Obituary
I actually met my Aunt Janie before she was my Aunt. Crazy, right? When I was in the 5th grade at St. Jerome’s, Miss Mason was teaching the 4th grade. She was the sweetest teacher I’ve ever had. One day at lunchtime, I asked her if I she needed any help after school. She said that would be great. So, on the days I didn’t have basketball practice, I would go to her classroom and clean the chalkboard or whatever she needed. Funny thing, a few months later, my mom came to me and wanted me to meet someone special, his name was Walter Mason. I don’t know why, or where this came from, but I immediately asked if he had a sister named Jane. He looked surprised, then he confirmed he was Miss Mason’s brother. Next, I found out that he and my mother wanted to marry, and they asked if I would be okay with that.. I literally cheered and said yes, he’s Miss Mason’s brother! I thought to myself, he has to be as just as wonderful. To this day, I think I was happier about her being my Aunt than anything else. But, Pop loved to tease.. and I wasn’t used to that, sometimes I would cry. Aunt Janie told me he was terrible, and teased her growing up too. She told me to give it right back to him. Well, I was young, and not quite sure how to do that. He liked to call me bubble butt.. Aunt Janie said that was one of his favorites.. but what I learned years later, was that’s how he showed his affection. She knew it, but I needed to realize this myself. She was always so sweet, kind, and thoughtful.. she’d get on pop about his teasing, she defended me, saying she’s not use to this... Janie knew firsthand what a joker he could be, as I’m sure most members of the Mason family had been given a lot of the same. Janie was the baby, and every time she’d come over he’d tease her, but she would just laugh with him.. I began to see what she meant.. by laughing, she was giving it right back to him! I learned quickly the best way to get him to stop was just to let it go and just laugh with him. Funny, I’m hearing her laugh as I’m writing this.. My Aunt Jane was a remarkable teacher, Wife, mother, and the best Aunt i ever had. Heaven has a special Angel on board now. She’s up there giving her brothers the business just like when they were kids. Love you Aunt Jane.
Jerry, Chad, & the rest of the family… keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jane and I were both teachers in Aschaffenburg, Germany many years ago. When you live in another country far from your family, your teacher friends become like family. You spend a lot of time together and depend on each other.
Janie was a wonderful friend- so understanding, kind and warm hearted. And she was fun! We took many trips together-Russia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Turkey… We shared many adventures filled with much laughter and memory making moments. I am blessed to have shared all those times with her and to call her my friend
For the past 50 year, I have had the pleasure, privilege, and joy of of calling Jane my friend. We met when we shared a basement apartment in Georgetown, Washinton DC starting in 1975. At the time, she was a teacher at St. Jerome's catholic school in Hyattsville, Maryland. Back then Jane drove an old car that was as long as two cars. That car was always breaking down thus it ate up her small teacher salary. Thankfully our other roomate also taught at St. Jerome's. Also, back then I was catholic but hadn't attended church since I left home for college. Over time, Jane gently and sternly nudged me into trying to go back. Eventually I did, and, thanks to that nudging, I am very involved in my parish today. Also back in our apartment days, we had so much fun just living in the city. Jane, I remember, always loved to go out to eat and check out the night spots. That never changed her whole life. During those year, her mother was very sick and eventually passed on. I vividly remember how lovingly Jane took care of her Mom with such tireless dedication. After that time in her life, a friend of ours convinced Jane to apply to teach on an overseas military base. She applied and was accepted. That was a gift from God which changed her life forever. Jane was sent to Aschaffenburg, Germany to teach on the military base. There she eventually met Jerry. I had the honor of attending their wedding in 1983. Jane relished stepping into a step-parent role with David and Pam and loved them dearly. The birth of Chad brought unmeasurable joy to Jane's life and she enjoyed all the ups and downs of raising him into the fine man he is today. Jane took up looking after her grandchildren with such a passion and love for them. She treasured being a part of their young lives.
Over the past 50 years, I have remained in one place but enjoyed visiting Jane (and Jerry) in all the various places they have lived-- Germay, Michigan, Kansas, and North Carolina-- all except of Saudi Arabia. Throughout all that time, I saw Jane's commitment to her faith and family grow and flourish. Faith and family were the mainstays of her life no matter where she lived or what she did. And, Jerry was always her love, her friend, her compass, and her strength to the end. I will miss my friend's gentle giggle-laugh, her good nature when misplacing or forgetting, her worried looks when friends were facing difficulties, and her stern face if one missed Mass. Also, I will miss sharing our stories about life with each other. But above all, I will miss Jane's generous heart and her beautiful soul. I love you, Jane!
Our prayers for God's graces of Comfort and Peace are offered to you, Jerry and Chad and Family with our heartfelt sympathy. Jane was a dearest friend and co-worker at Our Lady of Grace School since making her home in Greensboro, NC. She brightened my day and our First Graders' all throughout the school year. She made learning both interesting and adventurous for the children with her teaching skills and world-traveled background. Field trips with her were educational and enjoyable. Each year Jerry would bring hatching eggs and an incubator to our classroom to enable our students to experience the 3 weeks process until baby chicks emerged. She made it a beautiful learning experience for both the chicks who survived and those that did not hatch or survive. Jane loved each and every child and they loved her back. We were blessed to have known and enjoyed Jane and Jerry's company outside of her work, sharing many dinners and events with them over the years, including a stay at their beach condo. Jane served beautiful meals and kept their homes and the condo picture-perfect. Jane inspired us to join them for our first trip to the Holy Land with Saint Mark's in 2016. We may never have gone without her invitation and it was extra special and memorable to be with Jane and Jerry. She cherished Jerry, Chad, her grandchildren and all her family and was kind and generous to friends and all who were blessed to know her. Most of all, she gave witness to her Catholic Faith with prayer, works and deeds. We will miss her sorely, remember her fondly and be comforted knowing she is now resting in peace with God among His Angels and Saints.
With all our love to the McDonald Family,
Brigitte and Arn Vogt
Greensboro, NC
PHOTOS: Jane in Holy Land Pilgrimage with St. Mark's in 2016
