Mary Jane Woods Dillard

Mary Jane Woods Dillard, 82, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Midway, KY.  She was born in Lexington, KY on November 22, 1942, to the late John Chestnut (JC) Woods and Mary Catherine Welch Woods. Mary Jane was a lifelong learner, educator, passionate nurse, loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed the beach and mountains with equal enthusiasm. If she wasn’t playing at the Lexington tennis club or walking in the arboretum enjoying neighbors and their dogs you could find her enjoying hiking, camping, canoeing & bicycling. Mary Jane was also passionate of the arts, playing piano and regularly dancing it up at “Contra”  events, as well as frequently attending live performances of music, dance, & theatre.   

One life lived so many lives touched. The world is a better place for Mary Jane having lived in it. 

She graduated “Girl of the Year” from Lexington Catholic High School Class of 1960, St. Catherine Junior College Springfield, KY, 60-61', University of KY School of Nursing (Bachelor of Science) Class of 1966, Eastern Carolina University School of Nursing (Master of Science) Class of 1983.  Her memberships included, Sigma Theta Tau-Theta Nu Chapter, International Honor Society of Nursing, Lifelong member of the Lexington Tennis Club and National certification for Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN).  She retired as a Registered Nurse and nursing instructor.   

She is survived by her children, Robert P. (Karen) Dillard, Jr., Ann M. Hamilton, Christopher S. Dillard, Catherine Colleen (John) Dillard-Scowby; grandchildren, Bethany Le, Holley Hamilton, Rachel Hamilton and Zach Hamilton; three sisters, JoAnne (Greg) Mantel, Martha (Ed) Woods and Nancy (Jose) Fernandez and a multitude of lovely nieces and nephews. Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Alice (Terry) Lacy.   

A visitation will be held at Clark Legacy Center – 601 East Brannon Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356 Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 1pm-1:30pm followed by a memorial Service from 1:30pm-2pm with Chaplain Tyler Green. Immediately following the service will be Celebration of Life Gathering of family and friends until 4:30pm, also at Clark Legacy Center – 601 East Brannon Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356. 

Bring your dancing shoes! 

A brief service will be held at Lexington Cemetery, section 3, on Sunday January 19th at 2:00PM.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Sierra Club, The Lexington Arboretum, Doctor’s Without Borders, or of course the organization of one’s choosing.