Mary Janeth Scanlon

ORLEANS-Mary Janeth (Smith) Scanlon, loving mother, aunt, grand-aunt, great-grand-aunt, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at home on January 12, 2017 at the age of 100, holding her loving daughter Judy's hand, and with her son-in- law Sigurd by her side. She was the eldest child, born in her Smith grandparents’ house on the family farm in Owego, NY, on November 14, 1916 to the late Richard Scott and Verna May (Snedaker) Smith. She grew up in a warm and loving family with many relatives and friends, which provided the foundation for her infinite capacity for love, and devotion to family and friends throughout her life.

Mary Janeth loved school, and remembered being driven to school on snowy days in her grandfather’s sleigh with jingling bells. She graduated from the Owego Free Academy in 1934 where she was the Class Salutatorian, went on to graduate from NYS College in Albany in 1938, and then obtained a graduate degree in Library Science from NYS College in Genesseo. During the Depression, there were few jobs available for teachers in NY State, so she took her first job teaching Latin and English, and served as school librarian in a small Southern school in Clarksville, and later Crewe, VA, before later taking a job as Librarian at Bergen Jr. College in NJ (now Farleigh Dickenson). She met her future husband, David Scanlon, who served in WW II, while he was completing his Master's Degree. They married in 1948 and moved to Kalamazoo, MI for work, then returned to NYC where he went on for his Doctorate at Columbia Teachers College, in African Studies. Later moving to Newark, NJ, Dave joined the faculty at Newark State College, and Janeth was Librarian at the Newark Public Library, and later a Reference Librarian at Pratt Institute, and Columbia University. .

In 1952, Dave was asked to join the Liberia-United Nations Project, who were developing programs in agriculture, health, business and education. The country girl who was born in a house without electricity and running water, found herself living years later in a native hut in a remote village in the interior of Liberia, with no electricity or running water, while her husband helped set up primitive schools in the area. She worked beside her husband, often driving a Jeep through the bush, surviving encounters with Black Mamba snakes and Army Ants, until they both became very ill with malaria, and then hepatitis. With no medicine for a month, they lived on nothing but plain oatmeal until they could be flown to Portugal for treatment, after which they both returned to the USA to resume their former jobs.

They bought their first home in Summit, NJ in 1956, the year they adopted their daughter Judy. In 1958, Dave was offered a job as Professor of International Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and directed the Institute for Education in Africa which trained teachers for the Peace Corps in several African countries. They moved to Leonia, NJ, and Janeth continued her primary focus which had shifted to being a mother to her young daughter, while still serving on school committees and assisting her husband doing research for his books. As a family, they lived for a while overseas, in London, and later Uganda. After the Peace Corps was formed, Dave became Director of the Peace Corps programs for education throughout Africa, and represented the American Friends Service Committee in relief work.

They bought the house in Orleans in 1960, moving there permanently in 1970 when Dave joined the faculty of Cape Cod Community College. They were members of the Friends Meetinghouse (Quaker) in Yarmouth, MA, but also began attending the Federated Church in Orleans. Janeth served as a trustee of Snow Library, and officer and board member of the Friends of Snow Library, where she established the Sunday Series of lectures, and served on the Snow Library building & remodeling committee. In addition, she served as a board member/ member for the United Nations Association of Cape Cod, Visiting Nurses Association, Cape Cod Family and Children's Service, and the Federated Church Mission & Social Concerns Committee. During Dave's teaching breaks, they continued to travel throughout Europe, and after his death (1990), she traveled with her daughter. She also enjoyed spending time on Sanibel Island Florida with her husband, and later with her daughter and son-in law during the winter months through age 98. She especially enjoyed being a long-time member of her beloved Book Club and Bible Group, and spending time with some of her most cherished friends.

Janeth, was proud of being a direct descendant of Governor William Bradford. She sought new adventures and experiences throughout her entire life, and could make an adventure out of any trip, whether it was to Morocco or Mexico, Florida, or just exploring Cape Cod. She was fiercely independent, reluctantly giving up driving at age 96. She was an avid reader, and possessed exceptional wit and wisdom, remaining mentally sharp and engaged right to the very end. She was civic minded, attended her last Town Meeting at age 99, and cast her final vote absentee, in the 2016 Presidential Election (shedding tears for the first time in her life, over the results). She exhibited compassion and kindness towards others, and was devoted to her beloved family and friends. She was a truly wonderful mother, and a trusted friend. The most important thing to her was always love. Her wisdom and guidance influenced many generations. In a letter to her then teen-aged daughter, she wrote, "In every person's life, there are markers which mark a turning point, and each of us becomes a different person in some way. Your father and I have tried to give you our love, and what we hope will help you lead a full, happy life, not in material ways, but in values, such as helping others. This is the real road to self fulfillment."

Janeth led an extremely full and amazing life. She celebrated her 100th birthday last November with her family, and close friends, neighbors, and many of the wonderful special "angels" who provided assistance with her care during the last months of her life. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. David G.Scanlon, their infant daughter Janeth Ann, and brothers Phillip Smith and Scott A. Smith. She was extremely loved, and will be deeply missed by her daughter Judy Scanlon and son-in-law Sigurd Winslow, and close family from Owego, nephew Scott S. Smith, grand-nephew Patrick, grand-niece Emily (Greg), great-grand-nephew William, great-grand-nieces Betty and Maisey-Janeth Pellicano, and nephew Dean L. Smith (Nina), grand-nephews Brandon and Taylor, and Terri Smith. She also leaves many beloved friends, here on Cape Cod, and afar.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Federated Church in Orleans on Saturday, June 24th at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Snow Library, Lower Cape Outreach, American Friends Service Committee, or a charity of your choice.