Mary Jane Reynolds

Mary Jane Reynolds went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 13, 2014 after 90 wonderful years. She is survived by her only child, David Reynolds and his wife Susan of Houston, and 2 grandsons, Matt Reynolds of Santa Clara, CA, and Jack Reynolds of Southwick, MA. She was married for 54 years to Dr. Jack Reynolds. Mary Jane Schermerhorn, known to her friends as “Skippy”, was born on July 30, 1924 in Englewood, NJ to George William Schermerhorn and Edna Rose McAuley. She grew up in northern New Jersey and lived in a home in Ridgefield that her grandfather built. She had two older brothers, John Schermerhorn and William Schermerhorn that have preceded her in going to the Lord. She graduated from Englewood High School and attended Rutgers University. She received her nursing degree from Columbia School of Nursing and worked as a pediatric nurse in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. She first met her husband to be as a Girl Scout when Jack Reynolds was asked to talk to her troop about reptiles – a subject that he loved. They each went their own ways until years later while she was working as a nurse in New York she went on a blind date that did not work out. A studious fellow needed a break from his studies and came down to the party and they met again. They quickly renewed their friendship and in a short time were married in their home town at the First Methodist Church of Englewood in 1952. They lived in New York until her husband finished his residency, and then moved to Dallas, Texas in 1957 where her husband took a position at the young school – University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School. Skippy managed the household and raised their only son while also surviving a relapse of ovarian cancer in the early 1960’s. She volunteered with many organizations including the PTA, Cub Scouts, League of Women Voters, and UNICEF where she managed Christmas card sales for many years and received a presidential award for her volunteer efforts. She also volunteered with SPAN (a Dallas organization that educated pregnant teenagers). She was very active with the medical school Faculty Wives organization. Skippy was a long time member of Lover’s Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas where she was involved with the Ruth Circle and the Sew ‘n Sews. Her hobbies included traveling with her husband and they saw many wonderful places and enjoyed learning of the native culture and meeting the children and animals. She enjoyed playing bridge and bird watching. After the passing of her husband and in declining health, she moved to Houston to be close to her son. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you make a donation to an organization that supports children in her name, and UNICEF would be her favorite organization. A memorial service will be held at the First Methodist Church of Houston, Westchase campus in the Chapel at 3663 Westcenter Drive on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2:00 PM.

Mary Jane Reynolds

July 30, 1924 - November 13, 2014