Mary Jane "Jerry" (Welker) Raher

Mary Jane Raher has had a rich life, which includes her marriage to David G. Raher.  She was born October 2, 1930, in Washington, DC, and passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Staunton, Virginia at the age of 86.  Mary Jane Raher’s maiden name is Welker, and she is one of three siblings of the late Eleanor Welker and George Washington Welker, who was a retired Rear Admiral of the United States Navy.

In addition to her husband, David G. Raher, she is survived by her by her brother, George Welker; her children, Susan and Brian Raher; grandchildren, Nora, Kendall and Colin Raher, together with Michelle, Leslie and Melissa Martinez, who are the children of her late daughter, Sheri Martinez. 

Mary Jane graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Nursing in 1953. She enjoyed a career in the Washington, DC metropolitan area prior to her marriage to David G. Raher, who is from Leominster, Massachusetts, and worked until retirement at the former Yellow Pages and Bell Atlantic telephone companies.  She and her husband enjoyed a life at their home in Bethesda, Maryland for over 30 years until retiring in 1986 and moving to Charlottesville (Shadwell), Virginia where they lived for approximately 20 years, after which they moved to the lovely area of Waynesboro, Virginia, where they resided for over 14 years.

Mary Jane very much enjoyed her nick name, “Jerry”.

Jerry was a very dedicated community volunteer, including leadership roles in the local Girl Scouts, Safety and Traffic Patrol, President of the Parent Teacher Association, and a volunteer to read to visually disabled individuals in the Nelson/Augusta County area.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Augusta Memorial Park, Waynesboro, Virginia conducted by the Rev. Rolo B. Castillo.

Share memories and condolences and view the obituary at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com.

Charlton and Groome Funeral Home, Fishersville is serving the family.

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