Mary Jane Hoey, 91

LACONIA — Mary Jane Hoey, 91, of Parade Road, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, at Forestview Manor in Meredith.

She was born on Jan. 21, 1935, in Littleton, and later moved to Laconia.

Mary Jane, or "MJ" as many knew her, attended Laconia High School and graduated with the class of 1952. She then went on to graduate from the University of New Hampshire. She moved to Long Island, New York, where she taught school for a year and found out that it was not what she wanted, so she began a career as a media buyer and worked for the Walter Thompson Agency in New York City.

She was assigned to the Robert Kennedy campaign to handle TV/radio time spots. She remembers being in the hallway with the campaign in California, when Robert Kennedy was shot. She eventually moved on to other agencies as a media buyer and completed her career with the Carat Advertising Company.

Over the years, her love of skiing and hiking would bring her back to the Lakes Region and White Mountains. Mary Jane also traveled to other countries to enjoy these sports.

Upon retiring, she returned to settle in Lakeport, and became active with the local Democratic Party, worked at Laconia Historical Museum, Belknap Mill projects, as well as organizing the Lakeport Rail Station program.

She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond Hoey and Helen (Byron) Hoey, and cousins Michael Leahy and Richard Leahy. She is survived by her younger brother James B. Hoey, nephew David Hoey, niece-in-law Carina Hoey, grandniece Angelina Hoey, nephew Charlie Hoey, grandnieces Alexandria Hoey, Amanda Quilty, Jade Hunt, grandnephews James R. Hoey, Tyler Staben, grandniece Avery Orwley, and great-grandnephew Royce Dietz; also cousins John Leahy, Jerry Murphy, Susan Hardy, Nancy Johnson and Allan Hopkins.

At Mary Jane’s request there will be no calling hours or Mass.

A private burial will take place at St. Lambert Cemetery, Laconia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mary Jane’s name be made to the Laconia Historical & Museum Society, 65 Water St., Laconia, NH 03246.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.