Jane Dickie Ware died Jan. 1 in the Holbrook Health Center at Piper Shores in Scarborough, Me. She was 88.

Jane was born in Kobe, Japan, on Feb. 2, 1919. Jane’s father John Dickie was working in Japan as a representative of a U.S. import-export firm.

Jane was a graduate of West Orange High School in West Orange, N.J., in 1937 and Wheaton College in Norton in 1941. She was a senior editor of the Wheaton College weekly publication. She continued her studies at Columbia University and was awarded a master’s degree in American literature in 1943. 

At Columbia, Jane met Jack Ware, to whom she was married on April 24, 1943 at a time that they were both serving in the military. Jane enlisted in the Waves and Spars as a seaman first class. These were divisions of Navy and Coast Guard that placed women in homefront military positions to assist in the war effort. Jack was an officer in the Army Corp of Engineers. Jane received an honorable discharge for the birth of her first child, son Peter. Daughter Kathy and son David would complete the family.

Jane worked for 17 years nurturing young minds as a nursery school teacher in Chatham, N.J. Jane was actively involved with the United World Federalists, an organization seeking global peace. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years and sang in the church choir. She was an active volunteer thoughout her life. She was committed to the library and the church, and to combating hunger.

After a long and memorable retirement on the Vineyard, Jack and Jane moved to the Piper Shores retirement community on the coast of Maine. Jane enjoyed regular visits from her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughters.

She was always modest and endeared by all who knew her for her generosity of heart and loving concern for others rather than herself. 

Jane was predeceased by her son David.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Jack Ware; son Peter Ware and his wife Diane Ware of Medford, Ore.; daughter Kathryn Harris of Falmouth, Me.; granddaughter Amy Carlisle of Falmouth, Me.; grandson Jared Ware of New York, N.Y.; and great-granddaughters Avery and Elliott Carlisle of Falmouth, Me.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Vineyard Haven Public Library, 200 Main street, Vineyard Haven MA 02568.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on the Vineyard in the spring.