Obituary of Jayne E. Walmsley

Jayne E. (Rush) Walmsley, 73, of Middleboro, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 8 at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester. She battled Ataxia for most of her adult life.
 Jayne was born on July 27, 1950, to Martin and Evelyn (Lynch) Rush in Boston. She graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School in Jamaica Plain in 1968 and attended Massasoit Community College in Brockton, earning an Associate’s Degree in Special Education. She married David M. Walmsley on June 12, 1976 and the couple resided in Kingston where they raised their two daughters. In 2004 they moved to Oak Point in Middleboro.  

Jayne dedicated her life to children, first her own as a stay-at-home mom, then serving as a special education teacher for various school systems in the South Shore area for more than a decade. The oldest of three girls in an Irish Catholic household, Jayne and her sisters enjoyed growing up with a large extended family that generated many humorous tales which were boisterously passed onto future generations. Despite her physical limitations, Jayne thoroughly enjoyed traveling with her family and loved attending athletic events, dance recitals, and school events for her grandchildren. A seasoned bargain shopper, Jayne was forever equipped with gifts and treats for them throughout the year, especially during the holidays. Easily identifiable by her head of gorgeously styled hair, manicured nails and cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee in her hand, Jayne’s best accessory was her warm and welcoming smile. At Knollwood, she still maintained a meticulous schedule filled with activities such as trivia games, bingo, movie days and other social events, especially those that included something for her sweet tooth.  

Jayne was predeceased by her father and mother. She is survived by her husband David of Middleboro; two daughters, Michelle Vigneux and her husband Michael of Worcester, Kristen Barrows and her husband Peter of Carver; two sisters, Suzan Morrocco and her husband Jim of Danvers, Lori Seeley and her husband Paul of Foxboro; five grandchildren, Christina Harlfinger of Plympton, Peter Barrows, Jr. of Carver and Landon, Elizabeth and Owen Vigneux of Worcester; and several nieces and nephews.

The family expresses its deepest gratitude to the dedicated Knollwood staff, especially the Bayberry Unit, for their compassionate and loving care of Jayne. Specifically, the family wishes to thank: the nursing staff (Aileecia, Cassidy, Kami, Nikki, Pamela and Theresa) and certified nursing assistants (Abby, Avrille, Hanlet, Rose, Ruth, Sam and Sheren).  

Services will be held on Friday, December 15. Calling hours will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, with a Mass of Christian burial following at Saint Joseph’s Church, 272 Main Street Kingston, at 11 a.m. A burial will be held at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Donations can be made in memory of Jayne to the National Ataxia Foundation at www.ataxia.org