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Mary Jane Dameron, former HHS girls athletic director

Mary Jane Dameron, 76, of Harrisburg, died Jan. 10, 2020.

She was born July 8, 1943 to John and Virginia Dameron (nee Cummins) and was the granddaughter of James H. (Blondy) and Bertha Cummins and Clarence and Della Dameron.

She taught girls physical education, coached a variety of sports and was the girls athletic director at Harrisburg High School.

Mary Jane was a strong advocate for the girls athletic program. She was instrumental in developing the Girls Athletic Association at HHS, and establishing the Girls IHSA sports, softball, basketball, track, gymnastics, bowling, badminton and volleyball, state-level programs. She ran tutoring programs during lunch and after school for athletes who were struggling in classes.

Mary Jane was an avid golfer, along with her father, spending many hours on the course, and was an active tournament player for many years.

She was a dog lover through and through. She bred, showed, and had many champion Springer Spaniels and Field Spaniels under the kennel name Istari. She was a member of the Crab Orchard Kennel Club.

Mary Jane was an avid hunter and fisher at a very young age. As she got older, her interests continued by participating in the Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing days at John A. Logan College, where she instructed beginning shooters about gun safety. Additionally, if Mary Jane wasn't at a shooting range, then likely, she was out fishing with a close friend or two.

Mary Jane is survived by her chosen sister, Diane Wood; cousins, Jennifer (Cummins) Ahrens, Tomi Scantlebury, John Wisely, and Joshua Wisely; and many close friends.

There will be a celebration of Mary Jane's life on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at "the Farm", where friends and family can come together to share memories and stories of a life well-lived.