Mary Jane Klinkhammer, 70, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026.

Born in Wakefield, Rhode Island, she spent her life in South County, a place whose salt air, winding roads, and coastal light mirrored her own calm and thoughtful spirit. Mary Jane devoted her career to serving others as a clinical counselor at the University of Rhode Island, where she guided countless students with compassion, insight, and a steady presence. Her work was not simply a profession-it was an extension of her deep belief in the dignity and resilience of every person she met.

A proud recipient of her Bachelor's in Education and Master of Social Work degrees, she believed deeply in the transformative power of education - not only as a path to opportunity, but as a lifelong practice of growth, reflection, and service. Her work was an expression of her conviction that learning, healing, and human connection are deeply intertwined.

A lover of beauty in all its forms, Mary Jane found joy in art, travel, music and literature. She moved through the world with curiosity and reverence, collecting stories and moments that she carried with her like small treasures. She also had a lifelong tenderness for animals-especially cats, whose quiet companionship matched her own gentle nature.

Mary Jane was predeceased by her parents, Ida C. and George J. Klinkhammer, and by her sister, Barbara A. Garlick. She leaves behind her brothers David G. Klinkhammer of South Carolina, Dennis J. Klinkhammer of Rhode Island, and Richard M. Klinkhammer of Florida, along with countless nieces, nephews and loving friends who will forever cherish her warmth, wisdom, and the soft strength of her presence.

Mary Jane's life was defined by caring, reflection, and a quiet strength that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, colleagues, and the many lives she helped shape.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Wednesday, April 1, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.

In honor of her love for animals and her commitment to mental health, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to:

Animal Rescue Rhode Island (ARRI), a no-kill shelter dedicated to rescuing and revitalizing abandoned and homeless animals. General Donations

• Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Rhode Islanders
  DONATE TODAY - Mental Health Association of Rhode Island

Mary Jane's presence was a gift-those who loved her will carry her memory forward with gratitude for the beauty and strength she brought into the world.