Mary Jane Pelkey

Mary Jane Pelkey, 85, passed away on July 11, 2025. At the St. Antoine Residence North Smithfield, RI.

Prior to her death she had been a life-long Burrillville, RI resident.

Born in Woonsocket, RI in 1940, she was the daughter of the late Everett Pelkey and Mary (Tomczyszyn) Pelkey;

She dedicated her life to teaching in the Burrillville School System and Bryant University.

In 1991 she was honored with an award for meritorious performance in classroom teaching, curriculum innovation and service to the college community.

A faculty member for 25 years, she formally taught at Burrillville High School from 1962-1966 and was named outstanding young educator in 1966 by the Chamber of Commerce. Past president of the Burrillville Teachers Association. She was the first woman to serve on the Towns planning board and formally was a Sales Correspondent for the Industrial Foundation of Burrillville. 

Mary Jane has a Bachelor of Science degree and certificate of advanced graduate study from Boston University, a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement from Bryant College and a master’s degree in organizational communication from Emerson
College.

She loved teaching, reading, studying, and traveling especially to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Canada. She was a loyal sports fan to the Red Sox, Bruins, and Patriots.

She was active in Burrillville Lions Club and supportive of the Burrillville Town Common and Gazebo.

She was preceded in death by her brother Everett Ellsworth Pelkey Jr. who passed away in 2017.

Sincere thanks to the staff at Villa at St. Antoine, Primrose Lane and the unit 2B staff for their dedication to the elderly. A special thank you to the Beacon Hospice for their care and support during her final days.

A Scholarship Fund will be established in her memory in the Town of Burrillville at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 1496 Victory Hwy., Oakland, RI.

Burial will be private.

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