Mary Jane Layton Oakes

Mary Jane Layton Oakes of Moneta, Virginia and Manasquan, New Jersey, passed away on August 4, 2009, after a long struggle against cancer. She is survived by Frank M. Oakes (Moneta, Va.), her loving and devoted husband of 59 years. Her life is celebrated by their two daughters, Robin Oakes Bebel and her husband, Dennis, of Charlottesville, Va. and LuAnn Oakes Lightfoot and her husband, Michael, of Bethany, Conn. Mary Jane was very proud of her four grandchildren, Nicholas Oakes Bebel (Worcester, Mass.), Sara Margaret Bebel (Charlottesville, Va.), Alexandra Oakes Lightfoot (Rosemead, Calif.), and John Robert Lightfoot (Bethany, Conn.) She was always glad to share good times with them. Mary Jane was born in 1928 to beloved parents, Albert (Jake) Crouse Layton (1899-1980) and Laura Gifford Layton (1903-1996). She resided in Wall, New Jersey for 64 years, sharing fun with family and friends at countless pool parties, back yard picnics and other family gatherings, as well as trips to Metedeconk, Mueller's Hill, Mac's Pond and her favorite Sea Watch beach. She spent countless volunteer hours at Allaire State Park working on historic and restorative projects. She was a devoted member of the Allaire Lady's Auxiliary. Upon retirement to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, she carried on the traditions by hosting grand family reunions at the State Park where she adorned us all in homemade jewelry and faithfully scrap booked us into history. We love her spirit and celebrate the gift she has been to us all.
In addition to her large family and many friends, Mary Jane had many Friends. As a lifelong member of the Manasquan Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) she enjoyed 15 years with the Busy Bees Sunday School class teaching the youngest children. She baked endlessly and organized the very successful Baked Goods table at the yearly Friendly Fair while Frank managed the burgers at the Food Table. Her light shines bright in that community.
While retired at Smith Mountain Lake, Va., Mary Jane was an active member of the High Point Property Owners Association.
Mary Jane is also survived by her siblings, Frances Bruno, of Manasquan, N.J., Ruth Ramsdell, of Spring Lake Heights, N.J., Doris Holloway, of Deerfield Beach, Fla. and Albert (Bub) C. Layton Jr., of Manasquan, N.J. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, friends and Friends.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2009, at Tharp Funeral Home in Bedford, Va. and at The Friends Meeting House in Manasquan, New Jersey at a later date. Donations may be made in her name to the Manasquan Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, c/o Robert Lane, PO Box 522, Manasquan, New Jersey 08736.
To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, Va., 540-586-3443.