Jane S. Callaghan
Jane S. Callaghan died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law on March 13, 2010, with family members at her side. Jane was born in Wilkinson County, Georgia, on December 27, 1924. she was the beloved wife of the late Hugh N. Callaghan and the mother of Hugh R. Callaghan of Lincolnton, Georgia and Susan J. Hunt of New Gloucester, Maine. She is survived by her grandchildren; Sarah J. Hunt of Millinocket, Maine, Miles C. Hunt of Oxford, Maine, Katrina Hunley, Rachel Callaghan, Kyle Callaghan, Caitlin Callaghan of Lincolnton, Georgia. She is also survived by her sisters, Jackie Griffin, Savannah, Georgia and Martha Williams, Columbia South Carolina and brother Alfred Smith of Macon, Georgia. She will be especially missed by her special young friends, Margo and Tommy Rioux.
Mrs. Callaghan grew up on a farm in Danville, Georgia. She was born Lucy Jane Smith but from an early age preferred to be called Jane. She often recalled her days working on the farm doing chores, cultivating cotton, corn and peanuts.
During World War II, she met and married Hugh Nichols Callaghan, a Philadelphia native, who was serving with the U. A. Army in Georgia.
After the war, Mrs. Callaghan was employed by the Bell Telephone Company in Philadelphia as a switchboard operator and later as a school food service worker for the public schools in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where she raised her two children as was active in the affairs of the Willow Grove United Methodist Church leading youth groups, bible study and the United Methodist Women.
When her husband retired, they moved back to Lincolnton, Georgia, where she and her husband kept a small garden and were active in the affairs of the Greenwood Baptist Church. Mrs. Callaghan also served as a substitute teacher in the Lincolnton schools.
After several years in Georgia, Jane and Hugh moved to Cumberland, Maine to join their daughter, Sue while Hugh battled cancer. While in Cumberland, Mrs. Callaghan was active in the Tuttle Road United Methodist Church and served as a caregiver for her husband and others in need. She remained active in religious affairs with bible study, the United Methodist Women and Tres Dias.
Mrs. Callaghan was noted for her domestic skills and was always in high demand for church suppers and bake sales. She was also well known for her skills with a sewing machine. For many years she sewed the doll clothes for the "American Girl" collection at the annual church sale.
Jane enjoyed travelling with her family and enjoyed extended trips to England, Scotland and Ireland. She also accompanied her family on many fishing vacations to the Rangeley Lakes Region in Maine.
Arrangements are made by the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME 04103. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, 52 Tuttle Road, Cumberland, ME 04021. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
Tuttle Road United Methodist Church
52 Tuttle Road
Cumberland, Maine 04021
