Mary Jane Atherton

Mary Jane Atherton, 84, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away Friday, October 23, 2026, in Cape Coral. She was born August 13, 1942, in Evanston, Illinois.

Jane was a Christian and lived a life centered on kindness, compassion, and family.. She had a Master's in education and She taught for twenty years over a period of 38 years.

Jane will be remembered as avid reader throughout her life. She had a particular love for history and could often be found with a book in her hands. Her curiosity about the world fueled her passion for travel, and she delighted in planning adventures for her family, whether it was a cross-country trip or a weekend camping excursion. She cherished exploring new places, creating memories with those she loved. and sharing stories from her travels. Her warmth, intelligence, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Jane's greatest joy was her family. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother whose unwavering support and encouragement touched generations.

She is survived by her husband Jeff; five children, Jeffrey "Jay" Atherton, Jr. (Amy), Tracy Flowers (David), Carey Jane Hall (Thomas), Mark Edward Atherton (Tammy) and David Patrick Atherton (Erica); as well as 11 grandchildren (Olivia, Sarah, Jeff, Lucy, Maddie, Dominick, Henry, Charles, George, Kenny and Audrey).

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Celestine Kresl.