Mary Jane Methe, formerly of Washington, Mass., died Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Mount Carmel Care Center in Lenox.
Born in Lynn, Mass., on February 11, 1928, daughter of Henry E. Rock, Sr., and Venice J. Madru Rock, she was educated in Washington Elementary School and Pittsfield High School, and was a graduate of Fisher Junior College in Boston and Berkshire Community College.
Mrs. Methe devoted her working care to social services. She was a residential assistant at Meridian Associates and then at Berkshire County Association for Retarded Citizens, from where she retired in 1992. She was also employed with Home Instead and worked as an ombudsman.
She was active in her community, as well. She was a member of the former St. Matthew Church in Becket and then a communicant of St. Patrick Church in Hinsdale where she was a member of the Church Council and taught CCD. She was co-chairman with her husband for the Catholic Charities in her parish. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Becket, and later North Adams, and Treasurer of the VFW Auxiliary in Becket. She was a Past President of the Washington Parent-Teacher Association, a member of the Becket Arts Center, and served on the Board of Registrars in Washington. She had been a reporter for the former Dalton-Hinsdale News.
Her husband of 50 years, Andrew I. Methe, whom she married July 19, 1947, died July 24, 1997.
Mrs. Methe is survived by two sons, Andrew E. Methe of Pittsfield, Thomas G. Methe of Washington; six daughters, Stella V. Wibby of Pittsfield, Veronica J. Calebaugh of Ruskin, FL, Lucy R. Sacco of Pittsfield, Paula F. McCaul of Becket, Stephanie J. Michalski of Lanesborough, and Georgianna R. Kitchener of Idaho; a brother, Joseph A. Rock of Lee; one sister Cecilia A. Rock of Pittsfield; nineteen grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Methe was pre-deceased by a son, Joseph H. Methe, three daughters, Mary T. Methe, Ann E. Methe, and Martha J. Methe, as well as three brothers, Henry E. Rock, Jr., Louis W. Rock, and John A. Rock; three sisters, Margaret E. Lynch, Flora A. Ellsworth and Therese A. Flynn; two grandsons, Joseph Wibby and Michael Wibby, and a granddaughter, Celeste M. Wibby Kordana.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Mary Jane Methe will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Church celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, Pastor. Burial will be in the Spring in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hinsdale. Calling hours will be Monday, February 21, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, Dalton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Church (Hinsdale) or St. Agnes Church both in care of the Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton.