Mary Jane Riker

Born in Irvington, she moved to Toms River in 1953, started her family and made her home there. Awaiting in Heaven are her brother Arthur Jr. (one of NJ first Korean War casualties), sisters Cecilia and Florence, son-in-law Thomas and countless other loved ones.

She leaves behind her beloved children, Dennis, Tina and Susan; grandson Daniel (Jacqueline), granddaughter Christina, niece Patricia and other family members.

In the 60’s, she worked at St. Joseph’s School where her strong faith was evident as a longtime parishioner and volunteer. Jane also volunteered at Community Memorial Hospital, fulfilling her life’s true mission: to serve others with compassion and love.

Jane possessed a deep and natural bond with children of all ages, evident in the 25+ years she worked for Toms River Board of Education. In 1975 she began her career in the library at Toms River HS South. She helped to launch the Media Center at Toms River HS East in 1979 where she later retired in 2002. She was known for her lively spirit and to quote her she “was not afraid of dying, but afraid of not living …”

She enjoyed spending precious time with her family and had an artistic flair. Jane was a true glamour girl, dressed to the nines in fashionable outfits with her vast collection of pins and hair bows, all polished off with an incredible pair of heels. Jane was truly one of a kind and will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Special thanks to Michael Sutton and the compassionate staff at Community Medical Center.

Jane is under the care of Quinn Hopping Funeral Home in Toms River. A proper and well deserved Celebration of Life will be held at a safer date.