Mary Jane Leager, 76, of Rock Hall, MD, a devoted wife, mother and granny, died on July 20, 2026 at the University of MD Shore Medical Center in Chestertown.

Mary Jane was a lifelong resident of Kent County. She was born on March 3, 1950 in Massey to the late Archie C. Shelton and Annie Mae Price Shelton. She attended school in Chestertown and married the love of her life James Leager Sr. in 1966. They were true partners in life and did everything together. In their earlier years they worked on a dairy farm, before moving to Rock Hall and working on the water. She assisted on the boat, fixed crab pots, sewed eel pots and cleaned and cooked ducks, geese and many other animals. Later she went to work for LaMotte Chemical Company where through hard work she worked her way up to Production Assembly Supervisor, retiring after 24 years of service.

Mary Jane cherished her quiet time. She loved watching sports, enjoyed crocheting and doing word search puzzles and caring for her beloved Golden Retriever Cody. Above all, Mary Jane loved her family. She was happiest when she was with her husband, two children and her grandson whom she lovingly called her “baby boy”. She will be remembered by so many in the community as someone who was kind, sweet and generous, someone who would do anything in the world for you. All traits that she instilled in her own family.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister Barbara Chance.

She leaves behind a legacy of love which includes her husband of 60 years, James Leager Sr., daughter Laura Leager (Jill) of Worton; son James Leager Jr. (Amber) of Fairlee; grandson Ryan Leager; sister Sandy Neiman (Randy); niece’s Erica Wilson, Brenda Patillo, Carla Chance, Diane Coleman, and a nephew Brian Chance.

A viewing will be held on July 27, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W Cross St, Galena, MD, where a funeral service will begin at 12:00 PM. Burial will follow in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Jane’s memory may be offered to the Animal Care Shelter for Kent County, 10168 Worton Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.