Mary Jane Preston

MARY JANE “JAY” PRESTON, age 78, of Forest Hill, MD, died on May 6, 2006 at her home. Born in Chester, PA, she was the daughter of the late Vernon Luther and Lydia Cleta Gilkeson Stover. She attended Elmira College in New York State. She was married for 55 years to the late Albert “Bud” Armstrong Preston. She was a homemaker who loved cooking and baking. This love developed into the “J and J Special-T-Loaves” sweet bread business which was known at craft shows, fairs and decorator show houses along the east coast. A resident of Kingsville, MD until 1989, she was the choir director and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kingsville for many years. She was also a member and the choir director of Grandview Christian Church before moving to Charlestown, WV in 1989. In 2000, she moved to Forest Hill, MD to live with her daughter and her family. She also directed the 4-H Choir in Harford County for many years, and was a member of the Phoenix Choir of Baltimore. According to her family, along with her love of music, she enjoyed bird watching, her flower gardens, a snowy day, and her Irish Setters. They said that she had a talent for interior decorating.

Mrs. Preston is survived by one son, Andrew Stover Preston of Aiken, SC; two daughters, Janey Nell Hoffman of Forest Hill, MD and Natalie Carol Cassell of Virginia Beach, VA; one brother, Edward Robert Coleman of San Diego, CA; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Imogene Rothenberger.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rob March/Florence Martin Scholarship Fund, 2022 Fallston Road, Fallston, MD 21050.