Jane Ellen McClay

With heartfelt sadness, we announce the passing of Jane Ellen McClay, daughter to Nancy and John S. Charlton of Dover, Delaware – Jane, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Jane and her late husband, William A. McClay, Jr., were married for 63 years and lived in Bowie, MD. Jane is survived by her four sons Bill and wife Diana; Steve; Tom and wife Jennifer; and Jimmy and wife Penny. She was the beloved grandmother, “Grammy,” to her nine grandchildren: Samantha; Nathan and wife Sierra; Blaine and wife Amanda; and Shelby, Kayleigh, Kennedey, Delaney, Zach and Jake; as well as her four great-grandchildren: Carter, Beckham, Lorelei and Cirilla. She was extremely proud of her sons and her grand children; and she was excited for her great-grand children.

Along with her late brother James S. Charlton, Jane was raised in many places throughout her childhood – from Illinois to New York to Delaware – before graduating from high school in Dover, Delaware. Jane went on to attend Bethany College in West Virginia, where she met the love of her life, Bill McClay. Upon her graduation from Bethany in 1956, Jane moved to East Orange, NJ and began her dream career in teaching. Jane and Bill married on 10 August 1957; and they moved to Laurel, MD, where Jane would pause her teaching career to raise their four boys in Bowie, MD. In 1964, they also settled into their home on Madonna Lane; and in 1973, Jane and Bill packed up the family up and moved overseas for two years. During this time, Jane resumed her teaching career at the local American School; and Jane developed lifelong friendships that would have a profound impact on her for the rest of her life.

Returning from overseas, Jane taught at Rockledge Elementary School in Bowie for several years before landing at Lamont Elementary School in New Carrollton, MD. It is here where Jane would spend the next two decades teaching her most favorite age group, the 6th grade. Jane was a beloved teacher at Lamont, respected and loved by other teachers as a colleague, friend and mentor; and cherished by her students. Throughout the years, Jane routinely had former students contact her long after they had begun their own careers and families. She loved these moments, proudly recounting to her family the phone calls, personal visits, and Face Book posts from these former students. These moments occurred throughout her retirement and even over the last several weeks, as she battled her illness. Although each former student had a different story to tell as adults, they all shared the same heartfelt gratitude for Jane’s positive, uplifting and supportive influence during their sixth grade year. As expressed to Jane by her ‘teacher friends’ recently – “You gave your kids a chance to begin to know themselves. You did it with a firm voice, a gentle touch, and a smile in your eyes.”

Jane was an incredibly strong woman, caring for her late husband, Bill, at home for several years leading up to his passing in 2020; and over the next five years, she was staunchly independent, remaining in their forever home and completing several bucket list projects that she and Bill had planned. Jane loved sitting on her new porch and caring for her many flowers and plants; and she loved that everyone still asked about her string green beans that she had lovingly and slowly prepared at each of the countless gatherings on Madonna Lane. Up until the end, Jane still loved eating dinner at the Golden Pavilion, Rip’s and Nonna Angela’s; and she was always up for a ‘dry gin martini, up with two olives,’ as well as an occasional Manhattan.

The family will host a gathering on Madonna Lane to celebrate Jane’s life and reminisce with family and friends. This Celebration of Life will be held on 18 October 2025 from 1pm-5pm at Jane and Bill’s home located at 3548 Madonna Lane, Bowie, MD 20715.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of Charlton, John S. Charlton School, 278 Sorghum Mill Road, Camden, DE 19934.