Jane M. Defayette

On the afternoon of February 11, 2025, Jane Marie (Stone) Defayette passed away peacefully after a valiant struggle with vascular dementia over the past few years. Born on February 25, 1938, she was 86 years old. She was a lifetime resident of Plattsburgh, New York. Jane was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother who cherished each of these roles. Throughout her life she championed her family and friends in their times of happiness and success and stood by them in times of trouble or need. She was a remarkably loyal and dedicated friend to many, holding lifelong friendships with classmates from her school years and was continually forging new friendships with young and old alike. Never one to want to take on leadership roles in clubs or organizations, she preferred working in the background, always willing to support and advance any cause that she saw as noble and good. Her parents Harold and Mollie (nee Delaney) Stone were also lifelong residents of the North Country. Jane had three siblings: Jean (Stone) Tolosky (deceased), Helen (Stone) Echavarria (deceased), and Jerry Stone currently of Vass, North Carolina. She attended Saint John's Academy for her elementary and high school education, graduating in 1956. She went on to attend Loretta Business School and began a career as a dental assistant working for several local dentists. Most notably she worked alongside Dr. David Taylor, DDS for 30 years and then Dr. Jerome DeSnyder. DDS for the remainder of her career retiring in 2005. Jane would often cover for other office staff when absent due to illness or vacation even after retirement. She loved her work and took great pride in getting to know her patients by name remembering them for years and bonding with many as dear acquaintances. Jane married the love of her life, George O. Defayette, on October 1, 1960, at Saint John the Baptist Church in Plattsburgh. She was a lifetime member of this church, having been baptized there, received her First Communion, and Confirmation, and served over the years as a Minister of Hospitality, an extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a member of the Bereavement Committee, a seamstress for various projects the pastors would have at any given time, and a decorator of the church and sanctuary on innumerable holidays. She knitted or crocheted hundreds of baby blankets and beenies for newborns in the hospital and at local pregnancy aid centers (...along with making these and other treasured handmade sweaters, mittens, scarfs, and outfits for her children and grandchildren. All these things were done as an extension of her Catholic faith! That faith will draw her family together to celebrate and honor her life in the very same church where her life with God began! Jane was married to George for 39 years until his passing on November 25, 1999. Together they had three sons whom they were immensely proud of and sacrificed much to be certain they had a good education and every opportunity to achieve what they wanted in life. Her sons are Jeffrey Michael Defayette currently in Washington DC where he served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Washington for 35 years; James Mark Defayette (married Joie Bellanger on October 15, 1994) was in the trucking transportation business until his untimely death on June 12, 2013; and Jerry Matthew Defayette who currently serves as a Special Education Teacher at Northern Adirondack Central School in Ellenburg, New York. Jane is survived by five grandchildren. Jim and Joie had three sons, Nathan, Jared, and Owen. Jerry has two children, a son, Teddy, and a daughter, Chloe. These five grandchildren were the joy of their Nana's and Grammie's life! She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, many of whom she served in the role of godmother. Jane was an avid seamstress, making many of her own outfits. She was always knitting something for someone, she did needlepoint and was involved in all sorts of crafting which included ceramics, and woodworking with her husband George; she even tried her hand at watercolor painting just a few years ago. She learned to play golf alongside her husband and, while never qualifying for the LPGA, she was more than content being outdoors in the fresh air and basking in the goodness of life. Over the past many years those who knew Jane knew she was absolutely committed to riding her stationary bicycle for at least 30 to 40 minutes daily. During her daily pedaling workouts, she prayed her rosary faithfully, having a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, she sought Mary's intercession for the needs of her family and of all those who would ask her to remember them in her special bond and relationship with the Mother of God. When her son Jeff said goodbye to her just two weeks ago, heading back to Washington, he gave her a kiss, said “I love you” and sensing this may be the last time he saw her, he added, “And thank you for everything you've ever done for me in my lifetime, Mom!” To which she replied, “Ahh, it was nothing!” On the 8-hour drive home, all Jeff kept thinking to himself was his answer to her… “No, Mom, IT WAS EVERYTHING! After of life of selfless giving, she slipped quietly away on February 11, 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the Blessed Mother's special days of grace, and surely, Mary was praying for Jane “now and at the hour of her death,” coming to take her home to her beloved Son, Jesus to rest from her labors and share in the joys of heaven. Calling hours for Jane will be held on Tuesday, February 18, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 20 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, New York. Interment will be in the spring. Mother, I heard His voice today, A whispering words to me – And oh! How rapturous His message sweet! It’s a priest I’m going to be! I know you are glad dear mother; That mine is the “better part,” For though I must leave you, mother; I know He will comfort your heart. O Mother, a feast He has prepared, A love – feast, celestial and rare – And the food is His Sacred Body, Enthroned on each altar fair. His own Heart is my living chalice His Blood is the banquet wine — He has promised His Soul and His Body For this body and soul of mine. To your bosom Mother, God gave a babe That your mother joy be increased, While tenderly you loved what He gave you, Now you’re giving him back as a priest. O, Mother, I’m sure you’ll be happy – may His thrice-holy will be done, For Mary will now be my Mother, And the Christ be your loving son.Happy you will be dear Mother, The Master has told me so – For your joys far surpass those of angels Joys that only priests’ mothers may know. O, He gave you to be my mother; now you give to His Mother your son, And sweetly the Mother of Jesus, Instead gives Her Only One. Everlasting secrets He whispered, for no other hearts but for mine – And Mother, whate'er be my glory I’ll not claim it, for it is all thine; For he told me that in the beginning, ‘twas appointed that an anointed one Should have you for his own dear mother That you’d have a priest for a son. Reserved in the realm of many “mansions,” There awaits a jeweled throne, As a reward to priests’ saintly mothers Whom He loves as He loved His own. And some day my dearest mother, when the trials of life’s days are done, Christ will meet us both at the Portals, A mother and her priestly son.