Mary Jane Povey of Swarthmore peacefully passed into heaven on December 26, 2024 surrounded by the people she loved most in this world.

Mary Jane was born on August 15, 1930, to Mary Lindsay Hackney and Thomas Hackney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended John Bartram High School, and enjoyed taking courses at Widener and Delaware County Community College.

Mary Jane met the love of her life, Harry Povey, when he returned home from World War II. They married at Good Shepherd Parish in Southwest Philadelphia on April 14, 1951; moving to Swarthmore in 1957. Together they raised seven children until Harry's passing in 1987.

Mary Jane and Harry were founding members of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Swarthmore, with each of the children attending the school. She was active in Sodality, and served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. She loved traveling with Our Lady's Seniors, and while a member of the Parish Council, she established "Coffee Sunday," where she would bring in baked goods for fellowship after the 10 o'clock Mass. Mary Jane eventually took a job as Notre Dame's rectory cook. After years of cooking for her large family, sharing her recipes with the priests in the rectory brought her great joy.

Many close friendships were made while living in Swarthmorewood. Mary Jane and Harry enjoyed the monthly dinner group and spending time together in Ocean City and Cape May, New Jersey, with their friends and neighbors. She always loved spending time on the beach.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and daughters, Debra Povey and Linda Povey.

Mary Jane is survived by her children, Diane Madison, Donna (Bert) Peters, Karen (Jim Byrd) Grauer, Jack (Bettyanne) Povey, Mary Beth Nelling, and Kellianne (Ken) Eckert; grandchildren Donald (Gina) Madison, Jillian (Dan) Hatch, Bridget Dzara, Beth (Michael) Owens, Aubrey Stone, Zachary (Caitlyn) Peters, Shane Peters, Matthew (Michelle) Nelling, Michael Nelling, Jesse Nelling, Joshua Byrd, Jordan Eckert, and Kenneth Eckert; thirteen great-grandchildren; son-in-law Ed Reavy; her sister Marcella Rafferty; her brother Thomas Hackney; her nephew William (Dorothy) Marella, as well as many loved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Wesley Enhanced Living's friends and staff for the care and compassion shown to our Mother, Mary Jane, over the last year.

Visitation will take place at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 1000 Fairview Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Jane's name can be made to CHOP,  PO Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352 or at https://give2.chop.edu/