JANE A. MCMANUS, of Hingham, a successful fundraiser, marketing and communications specialist and teacher, died on Sunday, Feb. 25th at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge from acute respiratory failure. She was 66. Jane was born in Palmer, MA on June 28, 1940, the oldest daughter of the late Edward F. and the late Mary (McKelligott) McManus.
Jane recently retired to Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA having lived in numerous locations throughout Massachusetts and also in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Jane grew up in Palmer, graduated with an English degree from Trinity College in Washington, DC in 1962, and pursued graduate work in English and education at the University of Massachusetts. She taught high school English in Palmer, Monson and Dedham, MA and also in Elkins, West Virginia. In the 1980's, Jane was an advertising manager for a publishing company, authored a novel for young adolescents, and was the principal of Applied Intelligence in Greenfield, MA, a consulting firm that developed advertising, sales, and computer-based training for New England businesses. For ten years, she served as a corporate and foundation relations officer at Mount Holyoke College, securing more than $ 8 million in grants for the college. In the late 1990's, Jane joined the Technical Development Corporation in Boston as a senior associate, raising over $5 million primarily for small, nonprofit organizations. Most recently, Jane has been involved in fundraising for The Community Family, an adult day health program and Riverside Industries, a rehabilitation program for people with developmental disabilities. Throughout her career, Jane was known for her intelligence, organization, affinity for the underdog, and generous spirit. She was also very committed to peace, social justice, and the environment.
She is survived by her son, Daniel Luke Finn of Amherst, MA., and was the sister of Patrick McManus of Monson, MA, Mary Brauer and her husband John of Silver Spring, MD, and Peggy McManus and her husband Steve Wilkins of Washington, DC. Aunt of Lucas Brauer, Meghan Ludtke, Molly Wilkins, Amy Wilkins and Bridget Wilkins.
A Memorial Service will be conducted on Wednesday, Feb. 28th at 11 AM at the Old Ship Church, 90 Main St., Hingham. Visiting hours and flowers omitted by request.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Riverside Industries, One Cottage St., Easthampton, MA 01027 or to the American Friends Service Committee, 2161 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140.
The interment is to be private.