Mary J. Scanlon

1916 - 2017

-Mary Janeth (Smith) Scanlon, loving mother, aunt, grand-aunt, great-grand-aunt, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at home on January 12, 2017 at the age of 100, holding her loving daughter Judy's hand, and with her son-in- law Sigurd by her side. She was born in her Smith grandparents house on the family farm in Owego, NY, on November 14, 1916 to the late Richard Scott and Verna May (Snedaker) Smith. She grew up in a warm and loving family with many relatives and friends, which provided the foundation for her infinite capacity for love, and devotion to family and friends throughout her life. She graduated from the Owego Free Academy in 1934 where she was the Class Salutatorian, graduated from NYS College in Albany in 1938, and then obtained a graduate degree in Library Science from NYS College in Genesseo. She took her first job teaching Latin and English, and served as school librarian in a small Southern school in Clarksville, and later Crewe, VA, taking a job later as Librarian at Bergen Jr. College in NJ (now Farleigh Dickenson). She met her future husband, David Scanlon (Dave), while he was completing his Master's Degree. They married in 1948 and moved to Kalamazoo, MI for work, then returned to NYC where he went on for his Doctorate at Columbia Teachers College, in African Studies. Later moving to Newark, NJ, he joined the faculty at Newark State College, and Janeth was Librarian at the Newark Public Library, and later a Reference Librarian at Pratt Institute, and Columbia University. In 1952, Dave was asked to join the Liberia-United Nations Project, who were developing programs in agriculture, health, business and education. Janeth soon found herself living in a native hut in a remote village in the interior of Liberia, with no electricity or running water, while her husband helped set up primitive schools. She worked beside her husband, surviving encounters with deadly snakes and army ants, until they both became very ill with malaria, and then hepatitis. With no medicine for a month, they lived on nothing but plain oatmeal until they could be flown to Portugal for treatment, after which they both returned to the USA to resume their former jobs. They bought their first home in Summit, NJ in 1956, the year they adopted their daughter Judy. In 1958, Dave was offered a job as Professor of International Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and directed the Institute for Education in Africa which trained teachers for the Peace Corps in African countries. They moved to Leonia, NJ, where Janeth's primary focus was being a loving mother to her young daughter. As a family, they lived temporarily overseas, in London, and later Uganda. They bought the house in Orleans in 1960, moving there permanently in 1970 when Dave joined the faculty of Cape Cod Community College. Both members of the Friends Meetinghouse (Quaker) in Yarmouth, MA, they also began attending the Federated Church in Orleans. Janeth served as a trustee of Snow Library, and officer/ board member of the Friends of Snow Library, establishing the Sunday Series of lectures. She also served as a board member/ member for the United Nations Association of Cape Cod, Visiting Nurses Association, Cape Cod Family and Children's Service, and the Federated Church Mission & Social Concerns Committee. In Orleans, she especially enjoyed being a long-time member of her beloved Book Club and "Bible Group", and spending time with some of her most cherished friends. Janeth, was the keeper of the family history, and proud of being a direct descendant of Governor William Bradford. She sought new adventures and experiences throughout her entire life, and could make an adventure out of any trip, whether it was to Morocco or Mexico, or just exploring Cape Cod. She was fiercely independent, reluctantly giving up driving at age 96. She was civic minded, attended her last Town Meeting at age 99, and cast her final vote absentee, in the 2016 Presidential Election (shedding tears for the first time in her life, over the results). She exhibited compassion and kindness towards others, and was devoted to her beloved family and friends. She was a truly wonderful mother, cherished 'Aunt Mary', and a trusted friend. The most important thing to her was always love. Her wisdom and guidance influenced many generations. Janeth led an extremely full and amazing life. She celebrated her 100th birthday last November with her family, and close friends, neighbors, and special 'angels' who provided assistance with her care during the last months of her life. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. David G. Scanlon, their infant daughter Janeth Ann, and brothers Phillip Smith and Scott A. Smith. She was extremely loved, and will be deeply missed by her daughter Judy Scanlon and son-in-law Sigurd Winslow, and close family from Owego, nephew Scott S. Smith, grand-nephew Patrick, grand-niece Emily (Greg), great-grand-nephew William, great-grand-nieces Betty and Maisey-Janeth Pellicano, and nephew Dean L. Smith (Nina), grand-nephews Brandon and Taylor, and Terri Smith. She also leaves many beloved friends, here on Cape Cod, and afar. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Federated Church in Orleans on Saturday, June 24th at 11 AM, reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Snow Library, Lower Cape Outreach, American Friends Service Committee, or a charity of your choice.