Jane Cecelia Hersey

Jane Cecelia Hersey (nee Rhodes) of Baltimore, MD passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 at the age of 92. Born in Akron, OH to Sylvan and Mildred Rhodes, she was the oldest of six children. Jane graduated from Kent State University and subsequently from Boston College with a master’s degree in social work. There she met her husband, William (Bill) J. Hersey, Jr. They were married in 1957. In 1968, following 11 years of Bill’s military service, the couple settled in Baltimore with their 5 children when Bill began work as the first Director of Social Work at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Upon Bill’s death in 1982, Jane became an honorary committee member for the William J. Hersey Service Award at Kennedy Krieger, awarded annually to an outstanding member of the staff. In addition to being a devoted full-time mother, Jane was a social worker with the Department of Social Services. She worked in both Baltimore City and County from 1978 until her retirement in 1992. Jane was an avid musician. She was a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Choir, played mandolin with the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra, was the church organist at St. Thomas More, sang in the St. Mary’s Choir, and played piano for many senior centers. Bridge was another of Jane’s passions: She played daily, both in-person and online. She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and achieved the ranking of Silver Life Master. Mostly though, Jane’s passion was for her family. Jane’s house was the standard meeting place, especially for holidays. More than 20 friends and family would typically join her for Thanksgiving dinner despite her insistence that sauerkraut be served - an adopted Baltimore tradition, as was her love for watching the Orioles and Ravens. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, and her sister Rosemary. She is survived by her sisters Virginia, Sylvia (Don) and Annette (Len), her brother John (Martha), her children Billy (Lisa), Ann, John (Debbie), Ted, and Dorothy Jane, and her grandchildren Elizabeth, Ryan (Brittany), Andrew, Rachel (Johnson), Marykate, Rebecca, and Daniel. She is dearly missed by her family and friends. The family will host a visitation Monday, November 22, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption (Govans), 5502 York Rd, Baltimore. The funeral Mass will follow in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to support the Hersey Award Fund at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Please direct your gift to the Office of Philanthropy, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 or KennedyKrieger.org/Tributes.

Jane Cecelia Hersey

October 5, 1929 - November 1, 2021