Mary Jane Grasty

She was born in Arlington, MA, May 28, 1923, the daughter of Grover Cleveland and Marie (Farmer) Farnsworth. She grew up in Newton, MA and graduated from high school there. She went on to earn her undergraduate in Mathematics and Physics from Mount Holyoke College in 1945, and her masters in Physics from Wellesley College in 1947. In her 50s, she pursued graduate studies in Environmental Engineering and Urban Planning from Tufts University.

Mary Jane married Robert Alvin Grasty on February 2, 1952 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. They eventually settled in New Ipswich, NH and lived there for over 30 years before coming to Keene four years ago.

Earlier in her life she taught science and chemistry at the National Cathedral School, as well as at schools in Cincinnati, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania. She was an assistant to J.H. Van Vleck at Harvard University during World War II, and worked in the Applied Physics Lab at John Hopkins University.

Mary Jane had a strong passion for conservation. She was a member of the New Ipswich Planning Board for many years, and a committee member for the Northeast Wilderness Trust. Mary Jane was on the board of the Hampshire Country School, president of the New Hampshire State Association of Regional Planning Commissions, helped found the Monadnock Conservancy in 1989, and was involved in the Miller’s River Watershed Association, as well as the Southwest Region Planning Commission and conservation efforts related to the Wapack Trail in Temple. She received an Alumnae Medal of Honor in 1985 from Mount Holyoke College.

Mary Jane volunteered for 10 years in Winchester, MA schools doing conservation education, and at 82 went door-to-door as a volunteer for the Wapack Wilderness; she enjoyed teaching, being outdoors and spending time with her family. Her family remembers her as a remarkably kind and intelligent woman.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert Alvin Grasty of Keene; her children Thomas Alvin Grasty, and wife Sara, of Kittery, Maine and Sheila Jane Cowing, and husband Christopher, of Keene; her grandchildren Keith Cowing, and wife Theresa, of New Jersey, Jesse Marsh of California and Molly Smith, and husband Ryan, of Florida; her great-grandchildren Kyle Robert Cowing, Alicia Jane Cowing, Sydney Smith and Bay Smith. Mary Jane is predeceased by her son Peter Farnsworth Grasty.

A memorial service and celebration of Mary Jane’s life will take place at Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH on June 27, 2015 at 10 a.m. Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH are assisting with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mary Jane Grasty’s name to the Northeast Wilderness Trust (http://www.newildernesstrust.org/)