Bindley, Jane (Danforth) of Mattapoisett, MA, passed away peacefully at her home on December 2, 2023. Born on February 22, 1936, in Cincinnati, OH, Jane was the daughter of the late Edward H. and Mary Jane (Cheney) Bindley. Those who knew her will miss her beautiful soul, pioneering spirit, superior intellect, and unwavering care for others, particularly her family.
After graduating from Gulf Park Junior College in Mississippi, Jane attended Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Botany and Bacteriology. She furthered her education at Harvard University, obtaining a Masters in Education. Upon graduation, she taught fourth grade in the Lincoln Public Schools.
After becoming a mother, Jane dedicated herself to homemaking and raising her four daughters in Weston, MA. She was actively engaged in the Weston community, and her desire to help others led her to volunteer extensively. She served as a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader for her daughters and offered tutoring to children involved in the Roxbury Home Tutor, METCO Tutor, and Special Education Tutor programs.
Her boundless energy was evident in her various volunteer pursuits. Always ahead of her time, Jane was passionate about climate change, contributing to the Weston Conservation Committee and founding the Weston Climate Group in 2006. Jane was also a creative mind - she chose to completely recycle her Weston home in preparation of selling the property in 2010. She went on to establish the first Net Zero residence in New Hampshire when she renovated her home in Holderness, earning a LEED certification and furthering her impact by using it as an educational resource for climate change. Throughout her life she advocated for solutions to climate change, attending High Bionutrient Crop Production Workshops, and canvassing in New Hampshire for democratic candidates. She was equally committed to social causes, contributing to the METCO Family Support group, and founding the Parent Advocacy Group for Special Needs Children while she lived in Weston. She was also actively involved in Physicians for Social Responsibility and dedicated her extra time to volunteering at the Concord Prison. Her personal passions included hiking the White Mountains, biking, participating in the Pan Mass Challenge, boating, gardening, attending symphonies and church, and hosting family gatherings with her daughters and eleven grandchildren.
Jane was a lifelong learner. She earned her Physical Therapy degree from Simmons College and worked at Boston Medical Center from 1987 until her retirement in 2016. Even after retirement, she continued her PT work pro bono with her portable treatment table. Jane also volunteered at the Haley House in Boston, arriving at sunrise to provide physical therapy treatments to the homeless during their free meals. Her tireless dedication and selflessness made the world a better place.
Jane is survived by her four daughters: Anne Danforth of Mattapoisett, MA; Molly Semerene and the late Javier Semerene of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Tracey Danforth and Pete Winebrake of Oreland, PA; and Liza Danforth of Mattapoisett, MA. She is also survived by her sisters Aimee (Bindley) Snyder and James Snyder of Naples, FL, and was predeceased by her sister Anne Bindley. Additionally, she leaves behind her grandchildren: Alison (Bennett) & Michael O'Neill, Robert Bennett; Josh & Kelly (Donovan) and great-granddaughter Cameron, Juliana, and Jonathan Semerene; Ben & Mary (Hemenway), Henry, and Max Winebrake; Thomas, Jack, Matthew Griffith, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration service will be held at the First Parish Church in Weston, MA on Saturday, January 13th, 2024 at 1:30 PM; a visitation will be held at 1:00 PM in the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Family Promise of Warren County (Ohio) https://www.familypromisewarren.org/ or Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter https://www.nofamass.org/home/get-involved/donate/.