Mary Jane DeBenedictis

On April 26, 2024, Mary Jane DeBenedictis (nee Burke), age 82, a former mathematician at Bell Labs and later a math and computer teacher at Haddon Township High School, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a brave battle with Parkinson's.
Born July 29, 1941 in Jersey City, New Jersey, she attend Catholic school in the city, later graduating from The College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ with a degree in mathematics and physics. She was a woman ahead of her time, and prior to meeting her husband, became one of the first female scientists to work at AT&T Bell Labs in Holmdel, designing switching system used in communications and computing. While there, she also worked on early punch-card computers and developed a love of travel and adventure, frequently taking ski trips to Vermont and small planes out for impromptu lunchbreaks with her coworkers, all while learning to fly.
On one of her many adventures, Mary Jane met her future husband Nicholas DeBenedictis by the Jersey shore, marrying in June 1968
Later, after having children, she delighted in a second career as an educator and high school teacher at Haddon Township High School, teaching math and computer science for over 20 years, where she was affectionately known as "Mrs. D."
She was a longtime resident of Cherry Hill, NJ and later Loveladies, NJ, where she was a devoted member of the Parish of Holy Rosary in Cherry Hill, and at Saint Francis Parish on Long Beach Island. She participated in many roles at Holy Rosary with her late husband Nicholas, from helping at the parish bingo hall to serving as a eucharistic minister. A brilliant woman with a loving smile, she also served as a Trustee for the Loveladies Harbor Association, and as Treasurer for the Beach Haven Yacht Club. She and her late husband loved sailing and were most happy when together and with their family.
Mary Jane retired in 2005 to spend time with her family and enjoyed traveling, cooking and volunteering to teach computer courses to seniors.
Mary Jane was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas Joseph DeBenedictis, her brother, John Burke, as well as her parents, John and Elizabeth Burke. She is lovingly survived by her children, Michael John DeBenedictis, Mary Elizabeth O'Neill (Matthew) and Kathleen Lucy DeBenedictis (Charlie Buckley) and her grandchildren: Connor, Jack, and Charlie. Her family and her students were everything to her, and she poured her love and time into them.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Visitation on Thursday evening, May 2nd from 600-8:00 PM at the Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, NJ. There will be a Visitation again on Friday morning, May 3rd from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at Saint Francis Catholic Church, 4700 Long Beach Boulevard, Brant Beach, NJ 08008 immediately followed by her funeral mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at New Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bellmawr, New Jersey on Saturday, May 4th at 11:30 AM. A memorial celebration in her honor will also take place later this summer for those unable to attend. Her Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and may be viewed by visiting https://youtube.com/live/JVMVvdW4-0Q?feature=share.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to The Parkinson's Foundation, www.parkinson.org