Jane P. Maroney, age 98, of Wilmington, DE, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
Born in Boston, Jane grew up in South Hamilton, MA, the daughter of the late John Henry Perkins and Mary Boland Perkins. She completed her formal education at Radcliffe College and the Katherine Gibbs School. After serving divergent causes during WWII at home, she moved to New York City and then to Washington DC pursuing her passion for international policy development. After working in Europe for several years after the war, she married Dr. John W. Maroney, a pediatrician in Wilmington. Together they had two children, both of whom followed their father’s path into medicine.
Jane entered the local political scene in 1976 in the gubernatorial campaign of Pete duPont and subsequently became a candidate for state representative and served with distinction for 20 years as a member of the Delaware House of Representatives (1978 – 1998). As a Representative, Jane focused on a leadership role in public health and safety issues especially regarding the welfare of children and families, both on a national level as well as in Delaware. In the House, she chaired the Health and Human Development Committee and the Delaware Family Law Commission. She served on the Legislative Joint Finance Committee and on the House Education Committee.
After leaving public office, she maintained her focus on the wellbeing of children and families and became actively involved in the not-for-profit world of policy development as a member of many boards and commissions including the Christiana Care Health System, the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware, the Women and Children’s Leadership Council, Wilmington Montessori School, Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, and a variety of other organizations.
She was especially proud of her long and dedicated involvement with Connecting Generations, a non-profit focusing on intergenerational relationships between a caring adult and young children with a focus on mentoring.
Her awards were too numerous to list but included the Governor’s Award of the First State, University of Delaware’s Order of Merit, the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame, Easter Seals of Delaware, the Wilmington Senior Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Early Childhood Champion lifetime achievement award of the Delaware Early Childhood Council, and the Miriam E. Gilman Award from the 21st Century Fund for Delaware’s Children.
She was a vibrant personality, an excellent listener, and prided herself in always being open to a variety of points of view, making connections between people and organizations. She touched many lives through her advocacy and personal involvement, and immensely enjoyed time with her friends and family.
Jane was predeceased by her husband John Walker Maroney, M.D. She is survived by a daughter, Jane M. El Dahr, M.D. of New Orleans, LA and a son, John W. Maroney Jr, M.D. (Kerstin Maroney) of Portland, OR as well as four grandchildren: CJ and Sami El Dahr and Nicole and Brooke Maroney.
Many thanks to the nurses and staff of Christina Care and the Country House for their loving care and kindness.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jane’s name to Connecting Generations, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1115, Wilmington, DE 19801 (http://connecting-generations.org).
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