Mary Jane Spiro (née Paisley), a prominent biochemist and a cherished mother and grandmother, died peacefully in her home in Fairfax VA on May 24 2026.
Born in Syracuse NY on November 15, 1930 to John A. Paisley and Julianne K. Ellinson Paisley, her Scottish and Norwegian immigrant parents instilled in her a strong focus on education. She graduated as the salutatorian from Syracuse Central High School at age 16. She graduated with honors from Syracuse College and received her PhD in Biochemistry from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 1955.
During an eventful train ride in 1950, one of her classmates, Robert G. Spiro, sat next to her and they chatted nonstop about their shared interests. They were married in 1952 and in 1956 they began their postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School where they remained for their entire careers.
Over a 40-year career, together the Spiros built a research lab at the Joslin Diabetes Center that focused on glycobiology, glycoprotein biosynthesis, and associated complications of diabetes. Mary Jane skillfully managed the laboratory that trained more than 60 postdoctoral fellows and students, many of whom hold prominent positions in medicine world-wide. The lab produced more than 350 publications. Mary Jane herself authored more than 60 research articles during this time and had continuous funding from the NIH. A child of the great depression, Mary Jane was incredibly self-reliant, industrious and mechanically gifted. She frequently could be found in the lab fixing equipment. Mary Jane retired in 2000 as an Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry at Harvard Medical School.
Mary Jane and Robert enjoyed extensive travel and were particularly fond of Italy’s Lake Como where they visited several times in their retirement as well as their scenic mountain home in Manchester, Vermont.
Mary Jane was passionate about dogs, classical piano, and writing fiction. Mary Jane maintained an extensive flower garden at her home and instilled a love of gardening in her two sons and her grandchildren.
Mary Jane will be buried in the Newton Cemetery on June 5. Services are being carried out by the Magni Funeral Home.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by Robert after a marriage of more than 62 years and is survived by her brother William Paisley, her sons David and Mark, and her grandchildren Alex, Lilia, Joshua, Aleah, and Porter Paisley.