Mary Jane Lester Maher, 85, of Skaneateles and formerly of Ticonderoga, N.Y., passed away quietly, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was a wife, mother and retired business owner.
Mary Jane was born in Ticonderoga on Feb. 9, 1939, and is the daughter of the late Clark Frederick Lester and Mary Catherine (Bradshaw) Lester.
She owned and operated Lester’s Service Station, Motel & Cottages of Ticonderoga (her family’s business since 1920) until her retirement in 1989. After inheriting the business in 1958, she took pride in preserving her parent’s legacy of providing quality service to every customer.
Mary Jane was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who devoted her life to her family. She nursed and cared for her many family members over the years. Her devotion to her Catholic faith sustained her throughout her life. She was a lifetime communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ticonderoga, N.Y.
She is survived by her son Clark Francis Maher (with whom she lived for many years); her daughter Mary Lester Maher; and her son Waldrow Bradshaw Maher. She cherished her granddaughter Chelsea (Jay) Wheeler and her great-granddaughters, Trinity and Libby. She is also survived by her sister Colleen Lester Wagner.
Mary Jane is predeceased by her husband John Patrick Maher and numerous family members.
There will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ticonderoga, NY, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The Rev. Albert J. Hauser will officiate.
The rite of committal and burial will follow at the family plot of the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crown Point, N.Y.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Commons on St. Anthony in Auburn, N.Y., for their extraordinary kindness and care during the final years of Mary Jane’s illness.
In lieu of flowers please honor Mary Jane’s memory with acts of kindness and generosity.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home of Ticonderoga. To offer online condolences, please visit wilcoxandreganfuneralhome.com.
