Mary Jane Drinkwater

Funeral from the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home on Friday Morning October 20 at 9, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Hill’s Church, Milton on Friday morning October 20th at 10 AM. Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave., Milton, Thursday afternoon, October 19th from 4pm to 7pm. Burial will follow funeral mass in Old Calvary Cemetery in Boston.

Mary Jane Drinkwater of Milton, MA, passed away on October 3, 2023 after a long and very courageous fight against Melanoma. She was born March 7, 1943 to parents Leo Francis Drinkwater and Anne McCarthy Drinkwater. Mary Jane, or Jane as her family and friends called her, was a graduate of Emmanuel College, earned a master’s degree, and then later on  a Juris Prudence Doctorate from New England College of Law. Shortly after graduation from law school Jane passed the Bar Exam and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

In the early days of her career, Jane was a highly regarded elementary school teacher in the Boston Public Schools System, primarily in the Roxbury area. She was a devoted teacher with high expectations for her pupils and one who earned their respect because as one young man said, “she was always fair”. Gradually Jane moved on to become a school psychologist focusing on students with special needs, in particular those with visual impairments. Jane brought both experience as a classroom teacher and her psychology background to manage these new challenges very successfully and in 1993 was awarded School Psychologist of the year by the Boston Public School System. As an Attorney Jane represented clients in Boston and was a member of the Massachusetts Association of Woman Lawyers. Throughout her life, Jane enjoyed Art, Music, and extensive travel in Europe and Asia. It was her delight to share her discoveries in museums and historical culture with her family and friends.

Mary Jane Drinkwater is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Anne D.  and Paul C. Roberts, and by her nephew, Paul LD Roberts,  as well as many cousins and friends in Boston. These include Dr. Lester Sheehan, her cousin and faithful medical supporter; his wife Joan Sheehan, and cousin Mary L. Sheehan who gave Jane kind and generous support over many years; and by long-term friends, Mary C. Kelleher, a cousin, and Bob Doherty, an honorary brother both of whom shared many happy events together and a loving friendship from young adult years through Jane’s last illness.

Mary Jane Drinkwater was a loving daughter who lived with her parents, helping and caring for both parents in their elder years and until their deaths. She will be very much missed by all her family and friends.

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