Mary Jane Arens' Obituary
Mary Jane (MacDevitt) Arens, 89, was born to eternal life on Monday, 12 December, at 5:30 p.m. She died at her home, which she shared with her daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Megan. Mary Jane lived a long, full, and very happy life. A native Washingtonian, she was a descendant of one of the settlers of Jamestown, Thomas Gascoigne. Her father, Thomas MacDevitt, was a prominent builder in Washington. He died in 1929—the year the Great Depression struck. Mary Jane’s mother, Ada Genevieve Gaskins, raised her six children on the little money that she earned sewing.
Mary Jane attended St. Patrick’s Academy in Washington and was the first co-ed in Catholic University’s drama department. She had wanted to become an actress, but fell in love, married Richard Arens, and devoted her life to her family. Mary Jane is survived by their four children: Margy (Sadler), Janice (Nylin), Elizabeth, and Richard; eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She loved them all dearly.
Mary Jane suffered greatly during her final years on earth. She could not walk or even stand. Now she is dancing with the angels.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia, on Saturday, December 17, at l:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of Mary Jane’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 147, Memphis, TN 38148-0142; Humane Society of Loudoun County, PO Box 777, Leesburg, VA 20178; or Little Sisters of the Poor, 1503 Michaels Road, Henrico, VA 23229—4822.
Please share donations with the family www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com
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