Mary Jane Allen Cain, 98, died peacefully on March 17, 2025, at the University of Vermont Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on March 24, 1926, in Burlington, Vt., the daughter of James and Irene Allen. Mary Jane grew up on Summit Street in Essex Junction, Vt., and graduated from Essex Junction High School in 1944. She entered the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps in 1944 and graduated from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City as an RN, participating in the cessation of World War II celebration in Times Square in New York City. She returned to Vermont to marry her beloved husband, Francis J. Cain of Burlington, in 1947. They were married for 71 years, until his passing in 2019.
During a busy married life as a mother of 10 children and First Lady of Burlington from 1965 to 1971, Mary Jane created an open-door home for all, as there was never a dull moment in the Cain household on Bilodeau Court. The dinner table was a daily forum for coming together to talk about the day and what was going on in the world. The phone was taken off the hook to keep this time uninterrupted. No one could eat until everyone was served and the prayer was said. She had a special gift in not only feeding 12 people on a budget but also being creative enough to stretch a meal to include any unexpected guest.
Once all the kids were in school, Mary Jane returned to her early passion as director of nursing at Trinity College in Burlington. In addition, she was active in the Democratic Party; a former president of the Burlington Garden Club, which she stayed active in until her death; an avid golfer at the Burlington Country Club; a member of the Bridge Club, Happy Hookers Sewing Club, and the Red Hat Society of Burlington and Ft. Myers; and a volunteer at Shelburne Museum, Rokeby Museum and Hope Hospice. She and Francis enjoyed traveling the world. She wrote a family cookbook, These Falling Leaves; spent years researching her family’s genealogy; and enjoyed gardening, writing, painting, and spending time with her family and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She particularly loved the special place she and Francis created at their beloved “Farmhouse” in Stowe, Vt., where countless family gatherings and celebrations were cherished over the past 50 years.
Following the passing of Francis, Mary Jane lived at Shelburne Bay Assisted Living, where she “met a new friend every day.” The Cain family cannot say enough about the love and care given to her by the entire staff.
She was predeceased by her husband, Francis (2019); daughter Betsy (2020); son Michael (2021); parents; sister Virginia Allen Wallace; brother James H. Allen Jr.; brother-in-law Dr. Nolan Cain and wife Mary; Judge L. John Cain and wife Polly; and sister-in-law Mary Virginia Cain, Sister of Mercy.
Mary Jane is survived by her family: Michael’s partner, Joanne Wells of Fairfax, Vt.; William Cain (Marilee Abair) of South Hero, Vt.; Carolyn Cain Breiner (Thomas) of Swanton, Vt.; Thomas Cain (Clarissa Holmes) of Sharon, Vt.; Martha Cain of White River Junction, Vt.; Patricia Cain Haynes (Michael) of Stowe, Vt.; Betsy’s husband, Theodore Nelson of Fairfax; Susan Cain O’Brien (William) of Winooski, Vt.; Barbara Cain Cousins (Glen) of Burlington; Brian Cain (Lilli Bashara) of Montpelier, Vt.; 27 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren, with three more on the way. Mary Jane is also survived by her brother Skip Allen of Isle La Motte, Vt., and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, 4 to 6 p.m., at LaVigne Funeral & Cremation Services, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 28, 2025, 11 a.m., at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Shelburne, Vt. Burial will be held later at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Jane’s name can be made to Mercy Connection, 225 S. Champlain St., Burlington, VT 05401. To send condolences to her family please visit vtfuneralhomes.com.
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2025.