Obituary of Mary Jane Beshar

Mary Jane (Newcombe) Beshar passed away at VNA Hospice in Dover, NJ on January 10, 2022, at the age of 93.

Born in New York, NY she spent most of her life in Oradell NJ where she raised her family before moving to The Oaks in Denville, NJ in 2012.

Mary Jane received her Bachelor’s degree in Science from Michigan State University and then earned her Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  She was a passionate biology teacher at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Twp for 15 years before retiring in 1983.

Mary Jane was a bright and intelligent woman with a continual thirst for knowledge.  She was an avid reader and prided herself on her mastery of the English language. She loved opera, especially Wilhelm Richard Wagner, and all aspects of New York City culture. She rarely missed a show of Jeopardy and loved the trivia contests at the Oaks (and often humbly winning).

She did extensive volunteer work after raising her family and retiring from teaching, including service at the Oradell Public Library, Meals on Wheels, and Hospice Care.  A devout Catholic, she was a weekly lector at church and a Eucharistic Minister at Hackensack Medical Center. Mary Jane was also longtime member and past President of Ordadell Book and Needle Club.

Mary Jane was well-groomed and fashion forward, and loved her jewelry and dressing her very finest. She was a skilled seamstress and one of her favorite pastimes was shopping. She was an outstanding baker with her recipes being one of her many legacies.  And she loved her nightly glass of wine!

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Joseph John Beshar in 2014.

She was also predeceased by her son in-law Joel Lafrano as well as by her sister Patricia Gilliam.

Mary Jane is survived by her loving children Leslie Lafrano of Forked River, NJ, Hope Sferra of Summit, NJ, Marc Beshar of New York City and Luke Beshar of Summit NJ.  Her grandchildren George Leontaris, Daniel Sferra, Emily Sferra, Michael Lafrano, Luke Beshar Jr., Olivia Lascari, Scott Beshar and Ana Lasacri as well as her great grandsons Nico and Logan also survive her.

Public visitation will take place on Saturday January  15, 2022 from 8:30 am - 10:00 am at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday January 15, 2022,  at St. Mary’s Church 15 Myers Avenue Denville, NJ 07834.  Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, NJ under the direction of Norman Dean Home for Services  www.normandean.com.

 Memorial Donations in Mary Jane's memory can be made to VNA of Northern NJ by way of  inmemof.org.