Mary Jane Booth

Mary Jane Booth was born on Aug. 23, 1930 in Hoaglund, Mont., the daughter of Selma Meta (Sally) Kümm and Roy Joseph Akre. A son, Mark Lee Booth and her husband Charles W. Booth preceded her in death.

She is survived by daughter Jan Montague (John), sons Chuck Booth (Chris), Dan Booth (Kathleen) and daughter Cindy Holloway (Paul), all of Cheney and son Ben Booth (ex-wife Christine, Tara Hubbard) of Eastsound, Wash.

She also leaves behind siblings Robert Blount (Ginger), Tom Bagley (Dee) and Cathy Tee (Bob).

Grandchildren include Caitlin Winebarger and Pete Montague (fiancé Tracy Couron); Rachel Lisk (Bill) and Dana Casper (Davin); Danny Booth (Krista Canady), Josie Booth, and Maggie Booth; Charlotte Holloway (fiancée Ron Rush), Margaret Holloway and Charles Holloway; and Stacia Parks.

She also leaves numerous great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Mary Jane was honored by Beta Sigma Phi in September 2004 as First Lady of the Year, in recognition of her many years of volunteer service that have benefited the community. She worked in primarily two areas: environmental and historical preservation, and service to benefit children.

She was part of a small group that began and maintained a recycling program from the 1960s until 1994, when the city of Cheney took it over. Booth was instrumental in forming the Friends of Turnbull Refuge, tutored children at Betz Elementary School and was a Camp Fire leader and area coordinator for 15 years. In addition to helping people in her community, Mary Jane sponsored children in Third World countries, and very generously donated to many service organizations.

Her work for the Cheney Museum included collecting, cleaning, recording and displaying the extensive collection, as well as serving as director for many terms. Mary Jane was very active in the service club, Tillicum, acting as president for many terms.

She will be greatly missed and will always be a loving memory in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held at the United Church of Christ in Cheney on Sept. 6, 2014 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of Cheney Museum, Friends of Turnbull and United Church of Christ. Neptune Society was in charge of cremation.