Northborough – On Friday, March 11, 2022, Jane (Stark) Maney, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many, passed away unexpectedly; she was 96 years old. Jane was born on February 19, 1926 in Worcester and raised in Boylston, the daughter of John C. and Elin (Forsdahl) Stark.
After her graduation in 1944 from the Commerce High School, Jane earned her degree of Registered Nurse through the Worcester Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. She was most proud of this accomplishment and faithfully served the war effort as an RN within the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps from 1945-1948.
In 1950, Jane married William D.W. Maney and together they shared a wonderful 57 years of marriage until Bill’s own passing in 2008. Jane and Bill enjoyed working together on their 1711 historical home in Northborough. After Bill’s death Jane continued to reside in and maintain their home until her passing. Here they raised their family. For many years they enjoyed operating the Holloway Christmas Tree Farm. In 1953 the couple purchased Northboro Oil Co. and Jane assisted Bill with the daily operations.
With a great appreciation for Art, Jane studied and became proficient in oils, for which she won several awards. For many years she remained an active member of the Northborough Art Guild and Northborough Woman’s Club. Throughout her life Jane would continue to paint and display her work in local art shows. Jane’s hands were never idle. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and found meaning in making hats and sewing dresses to donate to children and those in need.
As a direct descendant of General John Stark of the Revolutionary War, Jane enjoyed History and Genealogy. She compiled a vast history of the Stark family and was proud to write and publish two books of her family’s genealogy. Jane was an active member in the New England Historic Society, the Sons and Daughters of Old Newbury, MA, the Massachusetts Mayflower Society, and the Northborough Historical Society. She also served both as Regent and the Genealogical Records Chairperson of the Captain Samuel Wood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
As a devoted wife, loving mother and doting grandmother, Jane’s focus was on the raising of and caring for her family. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother and a Sunday school teacher. The Maney family created wonderful memories camping, skiing in the White Mountains and spending summers at their home on Lake Winnipesaukee. Jane looked forward to any reason to host gatherings at her Church Street home, especially the holidays. In later years, Bill and Jane enjoyed wintering in Naples, Florida and traveling to Bermuda. Jane and Bill enjoyed the competitiveness of a game of Bridge and belonged to several groups over the years. When it came to Cribbage or Scrabble Jane was a force to be reckoned with.
Jane will be missed by her children, W. John Maney of Leicester, Paul S. Maney and his wife Christine O’Connor, and Sandra Farrell and her husband David, all whom reside in Northborough; by her seven grandchildren, Andrew, Alison and Gregory Farrell, Brian, Sarah, Jenna and Caleb Maney; and by her four great-grandchildren, Finn Maney, Caroline, Grace and Audrey Farrell. Jane is also survived by her sister, Caroline Bulkely and her brother, John Stark. Jane was preceded in death by her son, Steven Maney and her two siblings, Constance VanHoof and Lenard Stark.
Calling hours will be held between the hours of 4 -7 PM on Friday, March 18, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. Jane’s funeral will take place at 10 O’clock in the morning on Saturday, March 19, in the First Parish Northboro Unitarian Universalist, 40 Church Street, Northborough. Burial will follow in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough. The wearing of masks is required while attending the funeral inside First Parish.
The Maney family respectfully request donations in Jane’s memory be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Research, UMass Chan Medical School Foundation, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
To leave a condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
