Margaret Jane Parks

Margaret Jane Kirwan Parks, 99, passed away on 19 December, 2025 at the Brightview Senior Living facility in Edgewater, MD. She was born on 7 July 1926 in Cambridge to Walter T. and Ethel V. Kirwan.

Jane graduated from Cambridge High School and then James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA., where she received a B.S. in Liberal Arts. She also studied Marine Biology at the University of Miami and the University of Delaware. Following her undergraduate work, Jane taught at East New Market High School, which she felt were very special years in her teaching career. She continued to be in touch with many of her first students throughout her life. After two years at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School in Roanoke, VA., she came home and worked in the lab at Phillips Packing Company. In 1955, she returned to teaching with a position in Life Science at Cambridge Junior High School. She remained there until 1968, at which time she was transferred to Mace’s Lane High School, followed by a transfer to South Dorchester High School when it opened in 1977. Here, she was Chair of the Science Department, and taught Biology for the next seven years. The end of her teaching career was as special as the early years, retiring at the completion of her tenure as Advisor to the Class of 1984.

Jane married Charles W. Parks in 1972 in Cambridge, where they lived on Leonard Lane until Charles passed away in 2007. She was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church for a lifetime, and served as Sunday School teacher, member of the Board of Trustees, and various roles with the Eunice Sluyter Circle. She belonged to the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, including serving as President in 1946-47 while attending James Madison University. The Girl Scouts of the USA were also an important part of her life, where she was a Troop Leader and Outdoor Trainer for adults. She also earned a ‘Thanks’ badge from the Delmarva Council for her work as Trainer for National Round-Ups.

Jane was a member of the Cambridge Yacht Club, and she and her husband Charles belonged to the Eastern Shore Sailing Association, winning the Choptank Cup in 1977 aboard ‘Tinker Toy’. She was Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, member of the Daughters of American Revolution, and member of the Nause-Walwash Band of Indians. She did volunteer work with the Blackwater Refuge, and remained an active member of the Dorchester Garden Club, with ribbon-winning roses in 2015. One of her later interests was her work as a member of the Eastern Shore Hospital Center Auxiliary, including volunteer work at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center.

Jane is survived by her stepsons, Larry Parks (Carolyn) of Warrenton, VA., and Paul W. Parks (Kathleen) of Annapolis, MD.; two grandchildren, Julie C. Parks (Chris) of Alexandria, VA., and John C. Parks (Maggie) of Owings, MD.; three great-grandchildren, Ben and Nathan Owens, and Remi Parks; nieces Randyl K. Swift (Don) of Annapolis, MD., and Kimberly J. Baldacchiino (Mark) of Malta; and nephew Thomas F. Kirwan of Parksley, VA.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Walter T. Kirwan; her husband, Charles W. Parks; her brother, Donald T. Kirwan (Joan); and her nephew Joseph R. Kirwan.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2025 at 10am at Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge with Rev. James Pugh officiating. Interment will follow at Old Trinity Churchyard.