Mary Jane Stillman

Mary Jane “Jane” Stillman, 78, formerly of Norwich, died on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Rochester, New York.

Jane was born on April 18, 1947, a daughter of the late Francis G. and Mary R. (Donovan) Murphy in Newton, NJ. In 1951, the family returned to New York. Jane graduated with the Class of 1965 from Schuylerville High School where she was very active with sports and class activities.

Jane graduated from SUNY Cortland with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in secondary education in mathematics. In 1970, she began teaching sixth grade at Stanford J. Gibson school in Norwich. In 1973, she continued her career in the Sherburne-Earlville school district teaching middle school math for fourteen years and high school math for fifteen years. After thirty-two years in education, Jane retired in 2002.

On December 22, 1972, Jane married Charles Jeffrey Stillman in Norwich. Jane and Jeff had two daughters, Kate and Beth. They were blessed with their grandson Justin from Kate in 2007, and with Michael from Beth in 2012.

Jane was an avid quilter, having dedicated many years to organizing and enjoying the Chenango Piece Makers Guild. Jane’s family and friends benefited from her passion for quilt making. As a breast cancer survivor, Jane donated many of her quilts to be raffled for the benefit of the American Cancer Society.

Upon retirement, Jane and Jeff enjoyed the sunshine during the winter months in Hobe Sound, Florida.

In addition to her parents, Jane is predeceased by her sister, Carole “Casey” Rosen. Jane is survived by her husband, C. Jeffrey Stillman, of Rochester, NY; two daughters, Kate (Phillip) Ayers, of Rochester, NY and Beth (Michael) Blaha, of Mayfield, NY; grandsons, Justin Ayers and Michael Blaha; sister, Joan Root of St. Augustine, FL; two brothers, Francis (Casey) Murphy of Gansevoort, NY, and Patrick (Brenda) Murphy, of Tallahassee, FL; sister-in-law, Mary “Molly” Burke of Rochester, NY; and life-long best friend, Donna Hanley, of Cincinnatus, NY. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A memorial service will be announced at a future date.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jane may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704. Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 33-39 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815, or a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.