Jane B. Marino, 100
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jane B. Marino, 100, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at North Adams Commons following a brief illness.
In October, she had celebrated her 100th birthday with nearly 100 friends and family members.
Born in Skewen, Wales, in 1914, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. William T. Bennett, she moved with her parents and brother to Maine when she was 6 years old. She graduated from Wells (Maine) High School and New England Deaconess School of Nursing.
Mrs. Marino was employed as a nurse at the former Plunkett Hospital in Adams for three years. After raising her family, she returned to nursing at North Adams Regional Hospital, where she worked in obstetrics for 20 years until her retirement in 1983.
A favorite family story recounts the November night in 1971, when she came on duty just in time to bring her grandson David into the world.
Retirement for Mrs. Marino meant pursuing a college degree at then North Adams State College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in literature at the age of 78, graduating magna cum laude. Four years later, she was awarded a bachelor's in social studies, again with a magna cum laude distinction.
During her time on campus, she appeared in a number of college plays and became an equity actress for a role in the locally filmed American Playhouse production, "A Mistaken Charity."
Beginning in 1984, she volunteered for many years at the former North Adams Regional Hospital, first as a patient representative and later helping in the medical staff and medical records offices.
A member of First United Methodist Church since 1939, she served in a wide variety of leadership roles and was active in United Methodist Women, adult education, and the choir.
An avid writer and correspondent, Mrs. Marino enjoyed composing verses to mark special occasions, and her written accounts of family vacations are cherished mementoes.
Mail delivery was always a highlight of her day, and she was zealous about responding, even when her health was declining.
Her husband, Anthony Marino, her "dear Tony," whom she married in 1939, died in 1977.
She leaves three sons, Ralph Marino and his wife, Jacqueline, of Valley Falls, N.Y., Mark Marino and his wife, Suzette, of Binghamton, N.Y., and Paul Marino of North Adams; three grandsons, Stephen Marino and his wife, Diane, David Marino and Philip Marino; four granddaughters, Kathryn Madigan and her husband, Douglas, Deborah Gonyea and her husband, Larry, Corinne Dockery, and Katina Marino; five great-grandsons, Patrick Madigan, Kenneth Madigan, John Dockery IV, Aiden Stasik and Karson Marino, and two great-granddaughters, Sydney Dockery and Sophia Gonyea.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A celebration of Mrs. Marino's life will be held Saturday, March 21, at 2 at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4 Water St., Williamstown, with the Revs. Dan Randall and Courtney Randall, pastors, officiating.
Visiting hours will take place Saturday morning at the church from noon until 2. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the United Methodist Committee on Relief or New Hope UMC, PO Box 744, North Adams, MA 01247.
Arrangements by Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals.