Jane Shaw Darby

Jane Shaw Darby

Frederick, MD - Jane Darby, 83, of Adamstown, MD, passed away on December 12, 2025, after bravely fighting cancer for an extended period, inspiring all who knew her with her courage and grace.

Jane lived the interesting and happy life she always dreamed of. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, she boldly boarded the Queen Mary bound for England, where she met her first husband, Keith. They settled in England before returning to the United States to raise their two children, moving for Keith's career from Chicago, IL, to Denver, CO, Toledo, OH, and New Fairfield, CT, before eventually retiring to an historic 1812 home in Haverhill, NH.

Following Keith's death in 2009, Jane stayed in New Hampshire, where she found love again with Jack Carlock, whom she married in 2012. Together they enjoyed escaping New Hampshire winters as snowbirds in St. Pete Beach, FL. They moved to Tryon, NC in 2016 before finally settling down in Adamstown, MD earlier this year to be closer to family.

Throughout her life, Jane applied her diverse talents at the Institute for Children's Literature, American Red Cross, Alice Peck Day Hospital, and the Global Health Council. An adventurer at heart, Jane traveled extensively with family to England, Dubai, India, Austria, Scotland, Ireland, Bermuda, and more. Her passion for travel led her and Keith to found a New England tour business, which they ran together for several years, sharing their love of exploration with others.

Music filled Jane's life. She sang with the church choir, the North Country Chorus, and the Pine Hill Singers for many years, and delighted in attending concerts. A passionate volunteer, Jane also devoted countless hours to public libraries. She loved reading, swimming, nature, and animals, especially the dogs, cats and birds that she cared for over the years.

Jane grew up in Chicago as an only child, spending cherished summers at her grandmother's cottage on Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln, MN, with her cousins who became like siblings.

Jane is survived by her husband, Jack; her children Brooke and her husband Henry and Forbes and his wife Eliza; her grandson Ian; and an extended, blended family. She was predeceased by her first husband, Keith.

Jane wished to be remembered with a smile by those most dear to her-as a loving wife to two wonderful men, a proud mother and grandmother, a strong woman with a sense of adventure, and someone who deeply appreciated animals, nature, and fine music.

Services will be held in New Hampshire at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor her memory by doing a kind deed for someone in need or by giving to the animal charity or local library of your choice.