Mary Jane Whittaker

Mary Jane (Chisholm) Whittaker, 73, of Scituate, passed away on November 30, 2020 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was the devoted wife of 50 years to Robert Whittaker. She leaves behind her children Barbara McKay and husband Mark of Hingham, Liz Whittaker of Chicago, IL and Ann Woelfersheim and husband Matt of Cambridge, NY. She also leaves her siblings Tom and Gerry Chisholm and Barbara (Chisholm) Leahy. She was the proud and loving grandmother to Sean, Tim and Ellie McKay and Ryan and Eli Woelfersheim. Daughter of Eleanor and Kenneth Chisholm, Jane lived in Scituate all of her life. She attended Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, class of ’65 and Cardinal Cushing College, class of ’67.

Jane had a magnetic personality and innate ability to make everyone around her feel welcome. She loved nothing more than hosting people in her home. Holidays were often spent with wide circles of family and friends and she could always find a way to make room for one more. Friday Night Cocktails were a fixture with friends and family and Jane would relish the opportunity to celebrate the end of the week with the people she cared about the most.

Jane’s talents were many, from her spectacular gardens to gourmet meals, and her creativity shone through in everything she touched. She had a true gift for finding humor in every situation and lived to make other people laugh. She never missed an opportunity to turn even the most mundane things into something that could at least make a good story later. Her fun loving spirit was often contagious and will be truly missed by everyone who knew her.

For 17 years Jane served as the Attendance Secretary of Scituate High School, where her eagle eye kept students on the right track and her quick wit and love of a practical joke kept the faculty and staff on their toes. But it was her compassion and soft spot for the kids who needed just one more chance that ultimately defined her legacy at SHS.

In recent years, as Parkinson’s gained ground, Jane and her husband Bob spent their time exactly how they wanted – with each other. Their love, partnership and commitment will continue to serve as an example to everyone around them.

Jane’s family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and just as Jane would have wanted it – ALL ARE WELCOME! Please join us on Friday, November 19th from 12:30 to 2:30pm at the Scituate Harbor Community Building, 44 Jericho Road, Scituate MA.