Mary Jane (Andrews) Rounds

Mary Jane (Andrews) Rounds, 89, died peacefully on October 31, 2020, in Rutland, Vt., where she resided with her daughter, Wendy, who cared for her unselfishly for many years. She was born the daughter of Harold F. and Rachel (Peckham) Andrews on October 19, 1931. Mary Jane was a "Ben-Hi Cat" graduating from Bennington High School in 1949 and had remained connected to many of her classmates throughout her life. A majorette and cheerleader, she also represented the school at Green Mountain Girls State, where she was elected Governor. Years later, as a charter member of the Pownal American Legion Auxiliary, she was Director of Girls State in 1992 when her granddaughter, Hannah, was a delegate. Mary Jane married Charles “Chug” W. Rounds in 1949, while attending Bliss Business School. They had a full life, working as partners in Rounds Real Estate, while raising a family of five children. In 1957, she became Mrs. Vermont and went to the Mrs. America pageant in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The next year found her giving cooking demos at Coleman Gas Co. shops around the state. Throughout the decade of the 50’s, they were entrepreneurs, owning and operating the Pownal Center General store with gas pumps, groceries, and a snack bar. It was the hub of the community and later they came back next door to run the Center Dairy Bar - a great spot for the Little Leaguers. Her retailing led her to Hoisington Real Estate, E.L. Nichols, and the Happy Cook in her later years. As a result of her husband’s serious back surgery, she applied to the US Postal Service and carried on his job as a rural letter carrier in Bennington. As the first woman employee, the post office was required to designate a women’s restroom. She traveled to the VA hospital in White River to visit Chug every Sunday for three months and continued as a letter carrier for several additional months during his recovery. By 1962, Mary Jane opened her Fabric Shop on Schoolhouse Road, later to be the location of their new home. Mary Jane was a woman of strong faith. She not only supported the Pownal Center Community Church with hours of bake sales, including the Bell-Ringing Pie Festival and Christmas Bazaars, but taught Sunday School and served on the Church Board. She was known for her solos, especially “O Holy Night” and “I Come to the Garden Alone.” In later years, she was active in the Lake Ola Baptist Church near her home in Mount Dora, Fla., where she spent much of her retirement years. She volunteered for Clown Mission work in Montana, sang in the choir, and was secretary for the Queen Bees. As a "Community-doer", Mary Jane spear-headed the Pownal Beautification Project which made it possible to remove many of the junk cars in the neighborhood and plant willow trees. She wrote Bennington Banner's Pownal news for decades, served on the Pownal Center Fire Department Auxiliary, and Pownal School Board. In later years, she was a Red Cross gray lady at SVRH and a member of the Pownal Historical Society. She loved to write letters, collect angels, and cook for an appreciative family. Mary Jane is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (Bill) Nelson of Ryegate and Wendy Clark of Rutland; sons Jeffrey (Elaine) Rounds of Lansing, KS, and Thomas (Michelle) Rounds of Rutland; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; two brothers, George (Delores) Andrews of Pownal Center and Clifton Andrews of Umatilla, Fla.; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Charles Rounds, in 1988 and special son Jonathan Rounds in 2010, also two brothers, Harry Andrews and Martin Andrews. Calling hours at Hanson Walbridge & Shea Family Funeral Home in Bennington will be held on November 7, 2020 from 11am-1pm. The funeral service will begin at 1pm with Mark Herrick officiating. A committal service at the Oak Hill Cemetery will take place immediately following the service. Mary Jane’s family wishes to thank the caregivers of the VNA and Hospice of the Southwestern Region for their many hours of care and support over the last year. Special thanks to Jacquie, the talented volunteer ukulele player from Hospice who brought many happy moments to Mary Jane and her family over the past several months. Those wanting to honor Mary Jane are invited to make a contribution to the Pownal Center Community Church or the March of Dimes - Vermont Chapter, c/o Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201.