Mary J. Pillsbury (1945-2008)

PILLSBURY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/11/2008 at 16:43:49

Mary Jane (Donnelson) Pillsbury, age 63, died Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at her home, in Wareham, Mass., after a long illness.

She was the wife of Charles H. Pillsbury, III. Born in Mondamin, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Leroy and Viola Mae (Ford) Donnelson. A graduate of West Harrison High School, she graduated from Graceland College, in Lamoni, Iowa, and later attended Iowa City College. She was an English and art teacher, in Coralville, Iowa, for several years. Mary Jane moved to Wareham in 1971 and started as a part-time librarian at the Tobey Memorial Library on High Street. Receiving her Master's in Library Sciences from the University of Rhode Island, she held every position at the library and became Library Director in 1983. She was also instrumental in obtaining funds for the Wareham Free Library to be built at its current location. She retired April 15, 2008. Mary Jane was past President of the Eastern Region Library System and past President of SEAL. (Southeast Automated Libraries). Active in Wareham politics, Mary Jane was elected Selectman, in 1991, serving for 14 years including two terms as Chairman of the Board. She also served on the cemetery and sewer commissions. Along with her husband, she also owned Community Mini Storage, in West Wareham.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, Charles H. Pillsbury, IV and his wife Cara, Matthew D. Pillsbury, all of Wareham; two brothers, Jerry Donnelson, of Council Bluffs, Wayne Donnelson, of Harrisonville, Mo.; sister, Marjorie Wahl, of Council Bluffs; four grandchildren, Alyson, John, Joseph and Mariah.

Visiting hours will be Sunday, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at the Chapman-Cole-Gleason Funeral Home, in Wareham. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 13th, at the First Congregational Church, Gibbs Ave., Wareham, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Agawam Cemetery, Wareham. Donations to establish a scholarship in the study of Library Science in Mary Jane's name may be made to: Friends of the Wareham Free Library, 59 Marion Rd., Wareham, MA 02571.