Mary Jane Starkey Piatt, 81, of Beallsville, passed away peacefully in the home that she loved on Monday, June 26, 2023.
She was born Dec. 31, 1941, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the only daughter of the late Raymond and Charlotte Wise Starkey.
On July 2, 1982 she married her true love, Donald “Doc” Piatt, to whom she was a faithful and dedicated helpmate and companion for nearly 40 years, until his passing on Feb. 29, 2016. Together, they served the people of the community with compassion and grace. Mary Jane was a graduate of Beallsville High School and Ohio University. She worked as a teacher at Woodsfield High School for 30 years and after her retirement from teaching, in Dr. Piatt’s office. Along the way, she touched countless lives with her humble kindness, bubbly enthusiasm, quirky humor and genuine care for people. She treated all with dignity. She made everyone feel special. She had the respect and admiration of all who knew her. Mary Jane loved sweets, driving, NFL football, and cats…especially cats. She was a member of The Monroe County Retired Teacher’s Association and a lifelong member of the Beallsville Church of Christ where she taught Bible class for more than 60 years, even until the time of her passing. Giving was her life. She was generous with all she had and all she was. She lived modestly in this life, for her treasures were laid up in heaven. There, she longed and lived to hear her Savior’s welcome home, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of your Lord.”
Left to mourn her passing are her church family, her neighbors, a vast community of friends, and legions of students, all of whom she loved deeply and whose lives are the richer because of her.
Friends were received Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Beallsville Church of Christ where funeral services were held Friday, June 30, 2023, with Colin Morrison, Mary Jane’s friend and minister, offering words of comfort. Interment followed in Beallsville Cemetery.
In keeping with Mary Jane’s giving spirit, memorial contributions may be made to the Beallsville Church of Christ, 52125 Township Road 134, Beallsville, OH 43716; Cancer Gas Cards, Inc., c/o Shirley Brown, 48397 Keylor Hill Rd., Woodsfield, OH 43793; Crossed Paws Animal Shelter, 41383 Stonehouse Rd., Woodsfield, OH 43793; the Naz Piatt Fund (a charity started by Mary Jane to help provide medical care for animals whose owners are not financially able to provide their much needed care), c/o Gold Ribbon Veterinary Clinic, 102 North St., Woodsfield, OH 43793; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be offered and memories shared at www.harperfh.net.
