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Mary Jane Light

Date of Death: January 12, 2012

Mary Jane Jolliffe Light

Mary Jane Jolliffe Light, 92, of Clearbrook, Virginia, died Thursday, January 12, 2012, in Winchester Medical Center.

Mrs. Light was born in 1919, in Frederick, Maryland, the daughter of the late John William and Lucy Jolliffe. She moved to Frederick County, VA at the age of 2 and lived here throughout her lifetime. She was a teacher with the Frederick County School System retiring after 23 years of service. Mrs. Light was a member of Clearbrook Presbyterian Church and was made an honorary life member of the Clearbrook Presbyterian Women of the Church. Mrs. Light was also a member or the Winchester Frederick County Historical Society organizing tours of homes and properties of historical interest. She also worked with the Clearbrook Fire department where she organized the annual yard party for many years.

She was the recipient of several awards from the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society including the Nancy Beatty Melton Distinguished Service Award in 1997, the Appreciation Award in 1992, and the Stewart Bell Jr. Award for Achievement in the Field of Historical Literature in 2000. She was also awarded the Carrol Henkel Award from the Preservation of Historic Winchester in 1992, and the Shenandoah University James and Susan Steck Community Service Award in History, presented by James Davis in 2001. She also received a Resolution by the Frederick County Board of Supervisors in 1999, to recognize her as a devoted citizen of the community.

Mrs. Light was a graduate of Handley High School, Class of 1935 and Farmville State Teachers College (Longwood University) where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

She married Huyett Glenville Light on December 1st 1942, and lived on their family farm in Clearbrook, Virginia until her death. Huyett preceded her in death on October 17, 1991.

Surviving are two daughters, Mary Morison Light of Winchester, Jane Jolliffe Light Clark and her husband, David, of Abingdon, Virginia; one son, John Huyett Light and wife, Carol, of Clearbrook, Virginia; four grandchildren, Mary Katherine Clark, Sarah Jane Clark, John Matthew Light and Emilee Tabb Light.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday at Clearbrook Presbyterian Church with Douglas Rinker officiating. Interment will be in Hopewell Friends Meeting House Cemetery in Clearbrook.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that if Mary Jane touched your life, a contribution be made in her honor to Clearbrook Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 56, Clearbrook, Virginia 22624 or to the Clearbrook Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 172, Clearbrook, Virginia, 22624.

The family of Mary Jane Light will always remember her as a loving mother, educator and public servant to her community. She was recognized as a true leader by her peers. We would also like to remember her lifetime friends of the community and thank her caretakers and close friends, who were so dear to her.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.

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Mary Jane Jolliffe Light Mary Jane Jolliffe Light, 92, of Clearbrook, Virginia, died Thursday, January 12, 2012, in Winchester Medical Center. Mrs. Light was born in 1919, in Frederick, Maryland, the daughter of the late John William and Lucy Jolliffe. She moved to Frederick County, VA at the age of 2 and lived here throughoutContinue Reading

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public.user left a message on January 30, 2013:
I have fond memories of Mrs. Light. She was my teacher when Stonewall was still a high school. She also taught my two children when Stonewall became an elementary school. She also taught with my wife when my wife taught at Stonewall Elementary School. I have been impressed with her work with the Stonewall Alumni Association and remember how dedicated she was to that organization. I remember seeing her at the banquet in 2011. Dwain R. Place
public.user left a message on January 30, 2013:
Mrs Light was my teacher at Stonewall Elementary. She was a very sweet lady and I really enjoyed being in her class.
public.user left a message on January 30, 2013:
An Open letter to all who knew Mary Jane.... For those of you who knew my mother, but may have lost recent contact, I wanted to give you a little background. Mom had Parkinson's Disease for many years which slowed her down, but never stopped her. She was still mobile (with the aid of a walker) and her mind was as bright and quick as ever. She could answer any question you asked, regardless if it was about what happened that day, current events, or local or family history. She was truly what I called a "walking history book" for Winchester and Frederick County history and was happy to share whatever she knew. Mom was practically blind with macular degeneration which robbed her of her passion of reading. Never one to give up, Mom replaced reading with listening to "talking books" which she received by mail from Richmond. It was a constant stream of recorded books, new ones replacing those already heard, many of them history related. When she wasn't listening to talking books, she was listening to the radio. For the last several years she listened to WTOP talk radio, so she could keep up with current events. Mom loved the radio, and many times there would be several on at once in different parts of the house. (Not necessarily on the same channel.) As I think back on my childhood, I don't remember any time when the radio was not on. She even went to sleep by listening to the radio, every night, right up to the end. My mother was a woman of many accomplishments who received recognition for her work in the area of education, local history and community service. She fought the good fight and left us with her final accomplishment of living to the age of 92. She will be missed by her loving family and all who knew her, but she is in a better place now, without restrictions and with Daddy and the many others who loved her but went before her. I love you Mom, as do Jane and John, and we will carry your legacy into the future, each in our own way. We are glad you are with Daddy now and without physical limitations. We will see you in our dreams. Love, Mary Morison
public.user left a message on January 30, 2013:
I had the pleasure of teaching with Mrs. Light for several years at Frederick County Middle School when it was a junior high school. I always refered to her as "First Lady of the History Department". I also had the honor of teaching her 3 children. I will always cherish the time we spent together and never forget the many things she taught me in becoming a better teacher. My sincere sympathy to her family.
public.user left a message on January 30, 2013:
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Light's passing. She was my teacher at Stonewall Elementary and a true gem. She was very patient when we would get sidetracked and pull foolish pranks. She was truly dedicated to her profession but tempered that with kindness and tolerance. She was a wonderful lady!
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Dwain R. Place left a message on January 14, 2012:
I have fond memories of Mrs. Light. She was my teacher when Stonewall was still a high school. She also taught my two children when Stonewall became an elementary school. She also taught with my wife when my wife taught at Stonewall Elementary School. I have been impressed with her work with the Stonewall Alumni Association and remember how dedicated she was to that organization. I remember seeing her at the banquet in 2011. Dwain R. Place
Andrea Dove left a message on January 14, 2012:
In honor of Mary Jane Light, Andrea Dove lit a candle.
Teresa Lupton Graham left a message on January 14, 2012:
Mrs Light was my teacher at Stonewall Elementary. She was a very sweet lady and I really enjoyed being in her class.
Mary Morison Light left a message on January 14, 2012:
An Open letter to all who knew Mary Jane.... For those of you who knew my mother, but may have lost recent contact, I wanted to give you a little background. Mom had Parkinson's Disease for many years which slowed her down, but never stopped her. She was still mobile (with the aid of a walker) and her mind was as bright and quick as ever. She could answer any question you asked, regardless if it was about what happened that day, current events, or local or family history. She was truly what I called a "walking history book" for Winchester and Frederick County history and was happy to share whatever she knew. Mom was practically blind with macular degeneration which robbed her of her passion of reading. Never one to give up, Mom replaced reading with listening to "talking books" which she received by mail from Richmond. It was a constant stream of recorded books, new ones replacing those already heard, many of them history related. When she wasn't listening to talking books, she was listening to the radio. For the last several years she listened to WTOP talk radio, so she could keep up with current events. Mom loved the radio, and many times there would be several on at once in different parts of the house. (Not necessarily on the same channel.) As I think back on my childhood, I don't remember any time when the radio was not on. She even went to sleep by listening to the radio, every night, right up to the end. My mother was a woman of many accomplishments who received recognition for her work in the area of education, local history and community service. She fought the good fight and left us with her final accomplishment of living to the age of 92. She will be missed by her loving family and all who knew her, but she is in a better place now, without restrictions and with Daddy and the many others who loved her but went before her. I love you Mom, as do Jane and John, and we will carry your legacy into the future, each in our own way. We are glad you are with Daddy now and without physical limitations. We will see you in our dreams. Love, Mary Morison
Carolyn "Pete" Michael left a message on January 14, 2012:
I had the pleasure of teaching with Mrs. Light for several years at Frederick County Middle School when it was a junior high school. I always refered to her as "First Lady of the History Department". I also had the honor of teaching her 3 children. I will always cherish the time we spent together and never forget the many things she taught me in becoming a better teacher. My sincere sympathy to her family.
Connie "Rotz" Smart left a message on January 16, 2012:
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Light's passing. She was my teacher at Stonewall Elementary and a true gem. She was very patient when we would get sidetracked and pull foolish pranks. She was truly dedicated to her profession but tempered that with kindness and tolerance. She was a wonderful lady!
Sue Barnsley Chamberlin left a message on January 19, 2012:
In honor of Mary Jane Light, Sue Barnsley Chamberlin lit a candle.
Omps Funeral Home left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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