Mary Jane Board

Mary Jane Andrews Board, aged 92, died peacefully on March 2, 2026, in her home at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Virginia. Born on August 16, 1933, in Suffolk, Virginia, Mary Jane's life was a true expression of joie de vivre, conveyed through her vibrant personality, unrivaled curiosity, diverse interests, and deep relationships.

An avid traveler, Mary Jane was particularly passionate about French art, culture and cuisine, which she first explored during her studies at Sorbonne Université in Paris, France, in the 1950s. Her subsequent career mirrored her myriad interests, from teaching preschool children French to fashion merchandising and retail, and later, marketing for the State of Virginia Lottery.

A proud progressive and active member of the Democratic Party of Virginia, Mary Jane was a champion of equal rights and an enthusiastic patron of the arts. She was a longtime member of the Tuckahoe Woman’s Club and a devoted supporter of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond Symphony, and Richmond Ballet. Coupling her philanthropic endeavors with a personal pursuit of painting and performance, Mary Jane joined the Rappahannock Art League and the Richmond Crossroad Art Center, becoming a prolific artist in retirement.

A fervent believer that “we are put on God’s Earth to build relationships with one another,” Mary Jane was an immediate friend to anyone who met her. Her life was marked by the countless connections she cultivated and fostered, from lifelong childhood friends to fellowship within her faith community, both at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, where she was an active member for over 65 years, and at Shrine Mont, where she was a proud “Glory Sister” in attendance since 1971. Curiosity, Mary Jane’s defining personality trait, was coupled with genuine fascination and heartfelt empathy for every person who crossed her path, as well as an uncanny memory for names and the details of their lives. Mary Jane made everyone she met feel truly seen and undeniably special.

Mary Jane is survived by her four children, Janie Ceperich Rose, Charlotte Ceperich Glover (Lee), Charles Daughtrey Ceperich, and Stephen Michael Ceperich (Lee); their father, Ivan George Ceperich; their seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; as well as several beloved stepchildren and step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Andrew Byron Conner, Jr., and Dr. John Arnold Board, as well as her parents, one brother, three sisters, and her son-in-law, James David Rose.

A memorial service will be held at the Westminster Canterbury Sanctuary on Monday, March 30, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Mary Jane's memory are encouraged to make contributions to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, or to Shrine Mont (https://www.shrinemont.com/give/).