Mary Jane Morris

Mary Jane Morris, 98, of Charlottesville passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. Mary Jane was born on May 4, 1918, in Gainesville, VA on Brundage Farm to Edward D. Morris and Mary Virginia Cockerille Morris. Mary Jane set a shining example of care-giving for others to follow – in the nursing profession and in the community. At the age of 6, Mary Jane knew that she wanted to become a nurse. From 1939 to 1942, Mary Jane attended the UVA Hospital School of Nursing and received the RN. She entered the profession wearing a uniform she designed. Mary Jane devoted her nursing career of 40 years to UVA Hospital in the capacity of general staff nurse, Head Nurse, and Supervisor. The majority of her career was spent in supervision of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Neurology. Mary Jane also served on the faculty of the nursing program at the UVA Hospital where she planned a course for attendants in 1958-1976 under the subsidiary department at the hospital. Mary Jane was a member of the American Nurses Association; National League of Nursing; and Virginia Nurses Association. Her working years at the UVA Hospital and School of Nursing included meeting many students who were a joy to know. The class of 1955 established a scholarship fund at the UVA School of Nursing in her honor, which has been successful. In 1969, Mary Jane served as the Chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program in Charlottesville. In that capacity, she was the state trainer for the program that involved visiting patients following their surgery, and she also developed a group of volunteers to serve in the Charlottesville area hospitals. In addition, Mary Jane served as the Chairman of the Cancer Society Rehabilitation program for the local area. These programs were helpful to those who needed assistance as they recovered, with meetings held once a month for ostomy and laryngectomy individuals. Mary Jane was also a Board Member of the Cancer Society locally. Working with cancer patients and survivors was a very rewarding experience for Mary Jane. Mary Jane moved to Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge in May 2003 where she was involved in many activities and enjoyed the many friends she had made in this community. Mary Jane was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Mary Jane had two brothers, Edward Morris and Douglas C. Morris, M.D., both deceased. She is survived by one sister, Lucy M. White; two nieces, Leslie M. Yarbrough and her husband, Bob, of Hume, VA and Mary Pat Morris; six nephews, Edward D. Morris, III and his wife, Cara, of North Palm Beach, FL; Andrew D. Morris and his wife, Paula, of Jupiter, FL; and Hank, Howard, Larry, and Ray White; one great nephew, Ian A. Morris; and three great nieces, Mariel Yarbrough Murphy, Jennifer Morris, and Kendall Morris. The family wishes to send a Special Thanks to the staff at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge for caring for Mary Jane for the last number of years. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Chapel at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, 250 Pantops Mountain Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911, officiated by Chaplain Heather Baggett. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Mary Jane Morris Nursing Scholarship Endowment. You can send a check payable to “UVA School of Nursing” and specify “Morris Endowed Scholarship, allocation 11612” in the memo line, or write a letter to accompany the check. Send your gift to: UVA School of Nursing Alumni & Development Office PO Box 801015 Charlottesville, VA 22908-1015 You can also make a donation by phone at (800) 297-0102 or (434) 924-0138. You can also make a donation online at http://giving.virginia.edu/supportnursing and where it says “This Gift is in Memory of” enter “Mary Jane Morris” and under “Special Instructions” enter “Please designate my gift to the Morris Endowed Scholarship, allocation 11612.”