Mary Jane Connell Wagner, 81, died peacefully on Friday, April 8, 2016. She was born in Allentown, Pa., and graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School and St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 as a Pennsylvania board-certified registered nurse.
Jane was the daughter of the late Joseph B. Connell and Mary Agnes McFadden. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Hugh P. Connell and Joseph B. Connell.
She is survived by her dear sister, Margaret Rauscher, and her children, Mary, Frank, Megan, Michael and David. ‘Peg’ was a great and lifelong joy to her little sister, whom Jane loved and admired more than anyone knows. Mary also provided constant remembrances in the form of gifts, cards and other reminders of her great affection toward ‘Aunt Janie.’
Jane is also survived by her husband of 59 years, William F. Wagner; and her five children and eight (grandchildren); Thomas C. Wagner (Kate and Korey), Judith W. Standing (Maggie, Ashmore and Roy), Peter D. Wagner, William D. Wagner (Janie, Claire and Rudy) and Daniel P. Wagner. Jane is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. A special thank you to her niece, MaryKay, and her husband, Pat, and their children Michael, Sarah, Kayla and Mathew, with whom Jane had a special relationship and whose frequent cards, letters, artwork and other reminders of their love for ‘Mawmaw’ kept a smile on her face and twinkle in her eye.
A special thank you to Cindy Martin, who was both a friend and dedicated caregiver; she made Jane’s last year much more fun and enjoyable.
Jane was a loving wife to her husband, Bill, and supporter of his career as a Naval officer, and a devoted and tireless mother to her children. She embodied patience, kindness and empathy, and never did an unkind or unsupportive word escape her lips.
A Mass of the resurrection will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach, with the Rev. Venancio R. Balarote officiating. A reception at the church will follow. The family will receive guests for one hour preceding the Mass. Jane’s remains will be interred at a later date in Bethlehem, Pa.
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