GLOUCESTER: Mary Jayne Avila, 68, died Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Devereux House, Marblehead following an extended illness.
Born in Gloucester on February 26, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Elsie (Roderick) Avila. A lifelong resident of Gloucester, she was a graduate of the Gloucester High School and Emmanuel College, where she received her Master’s degree.
She had been employed as a Spanish teacher at Gloucester High School and Rockport High School. She was also a graduate of Suffolk University, where she earned a Juris Doctorate and had practiced law on a part-time basis. She had also taught beginning law at Suffolk University.
Jayne held a pilot’s license and enjoyed traveling extensively. Other favorite pastimes included picking blueberries, flower and vegetable gardening.
She is survived by three sisters, Barbara, wife of George Geyer, Elaine, wife of Eugene Jamison, Joyce, wife of Edwin Perkins; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Avila; four nieces, Deborah Tibbets, Nancy Avila, Maribeth LeBlanc and Susan Moran; four nephews, Peter Avila, Edwin Perkins, Jr., Christopher Jamison and Craig Jamison; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She was also predeceased by her brother, Roderick Avila.
In keeping with her wishes, committal services will be held privately in the Calvary Cemetery. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.