Mary Jane Kippley, 90, passed on from this life on February 27, 2022, where she joined her husband, Kenneth Charles Kippley, parents Mary M. (Riordan) and Gill V. Schmittou and sister Margaret Jackson. She is survived by her loving family including her children, Charles and Theresa; Charles' wife Phuong; six grandchildren, Emily, Mary, Rose, Kenneth, Rand, and Jaxon; one great grandchild, Avery; and one nephew and five nieces, William, Jane Ann, Mary, Patricia, Margaret and Constance and their spouses and children.

A native Washingtonian, Jane was born June 22, 1931, during the Great Depression.  Her early years were spent on Biltmore Street in Washington, DC, where she lived in a vibrant Irish Catholic home with her immediate and extended family. A graduate from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross, Jane received her Master's Degree in US History from Georgetown University in 1956.

Jane wed her beloved husband Ken in April 1964.  They had two children and, what she affectionately described as, a "love hate" relationship with the family dog, Hatchet.  As she raised her family, she actively participated in the church Sodality, volunteered as a lectern at church, took tennis lessons, and painted all while working with the Department of Health & Human Services from where she ultimately retired as a program analyst.   A place of joy for Jane was the family beach house in South Bethany, Delaware; it was a central gathering place that year after year brought family and friends together.  Although Jane lost her beloved Ken to cancer in 1986, her resiliency and strength brought her into a full life filled with family, friendships, bible study, book clubs and investment clubs.  Throughout her life Jane enjoyed travel to Greece, Turkey, Spain, Jamaica, Haiti, Kenya, France, Ireland, England and Switzerland.  Most memorable was her travels to Lourdes given the miracles of healing.

Her faith was a primary part of her life.  Jane was an active member of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Washington, DC from 1966-2012.  After moving to Ashburn VA in 2012 she was a member of Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling, VA.

Jane lived her life focused on building connection and understanding whether it be with individuals, communities, religions, or cultures.  Jane valued helping others.   She was always ready to assist friends and family in moments of need.  She started a Bereavement Group at Blessed Sacrament and tutored high-risk students in Washington DC, to name a few examples.

Throughout her life, Jane cared deeply about history and world events.  She was a member of the Democratic Party and self-described Progressive Democrat.  She valued history and ancestry as evidenced by her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Ketoctin Chapter and the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Anne Constable Lee Chapter.  It was vitally important to Jane that current and future generations understand their roots.  For Jane's family, the history dates to Jamestown in 1649 when Thomas Reynolds (on the Schmittou side) came from England to colonial America as an indentured servant.

The Funeral mass will be held at 11am on Tuesday March 8 ^th at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 5949 Western Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20015.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service (10a.m. to 11 a.m.) at the church. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery immediately after funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Doctors Without Borders at https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Condolences may be offered at www.colonialfuneralhome.com