Mary Jane Boughner, of Oak Harbor, died on election day, Nov. 6, 2012, at Whidbey General Hospital. She would have been 95 years old in January. She had a long, good life, lived to the fullest and had no regrets.
Mary Jane Benjamin was born on Jan. 4, 1918, in Duluth, Minn., to Floyd Shaw Benjamin and Molly Benjamin, nee Higgins. She grew up in Iron River, MI and moved to Kalamazoo, Mich. her senior year of high school. She received a bachelor’s degree in 1939 from Western Michigan Teacher’s College. She was married to Robert W. Boughner on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1941 in Kalamazoo, Mich. They spent the war years in Texas; he was a link trainer instructor in the Army Air Corps. They returned to Michigan after the war with their first two children and settled in Okemos.
Four more children joined the family before they moved to Mason, Mich. in 1958. During these years she was a wife, mother, homemaker, Girl Scout leader and school and community volunteer. She then returned to Western Michigan University and earned her master’s degree in library science in 1968.
She was a reference librarian at the State of Michigan Library in Lansing, Mich. from 1968 to retirement in 1980. After Bob’s retirement in 1982 they moved to Washington state, residing first in Coupeville before moving to Oak Harbor in 1986.
Following Bob’s death in 1987, Mary Jane became active with the Oak Harbor Senior Center, especially the travel committee, and Oak Harbor United Methodist Church. Mary Jane considered as her greatest achievement having raised six compassionate, caring, giving children. She carried the grief from the loss of middle daughter Sally in 1971 for the rest of her life. Her lifelong interests included traveling, gardening, genealogy, volunteering, reading, books, writing, hiking and swimming.
Her extensive volunteer work with the United Methodist Women included the church library, holding various offices, prayer chain, Stephen’s Ministry, and We Care Committee. She was awarded the United Methodist Women Service Award not only in Michigan but also in Washington state.
Friends enjoyed Mary Jane’s sense of humor, irreverence, tolerance, compassion, unconditional support, enjoyment of life and optimism. Her children valued her friendship, unconditional love and wise counsel.
She is survived by children Eric Boughner, of San Diego, Calif.; Sue Willey (Dan), of Redmond; Amy Boughner (Steve Upshaw), of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Steven Boughner, of Oak Harbor; Mark Boughner (Janet), of Mount Pleasant, Mich.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mary Jane is predeceased in death by husband Robert W. Boughner, 1987; daughter Sarah Jane (Sally) Boughner, 1971; brothers Ivan Spaulding Benjamin, 1973 and Floyd Shaw Benjamin Jr., 1969.
Mary Jane’s faith was the backbone of her life and was always her great comfort. She always felt God’s hand in her life. She believed there are two lasting gifts you can give your children: one is roots, the other wings.
A Celebration of Life was held 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor. Private family interment was held at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville.
Memorial funds were established with United Methodist Committee on Relief and Doctors Without Borders. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories utilizing the memory book hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
