Jane E. Janes

Jane Ellen Janes, Anderson – 70, suddenly jumped the line into heaven on April 27, 2019. We expect she was called by God to coordinate a party there. She was born on March 12, 1949, to John Alfred Cook and Laura Wofford (Loughmiller) Cook in Anderson. She was an absolute daddy’s girl and her mother’s best friend. Her love of animals began at an early age with several household pets. The daughter of an Indiana State Trooper meant a life of unique adventures, including an unlikely family friendship with radio and television personality Arthur Godfrey and the chance to see the Beatles perform at the Indiana State Fair Colosseum in 1964, among many others. Jane graduated from Anderson High School in 1967 and attended Ball State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1970 and a Master’s in education shortly thereafter. She spent her career as a teacher. First as a speech therapist, she then taught high school and middle school before settling in as a reading teacher at 29th Street and Forest Hills Elementary. She shared her personal love of reading with all of her students, including many who still fondly remember the joy of being read to by Jane. Her children were blessed to experience the same thing at home, and until her last day she read to her husband Jay every night before bed. She felt a special connection to Anderson and spent almost all of her life as a proud resident of the city. To say Jane never met a stranger was an understatement. She was the life of the party, “the hostess with the most-ess,” and a friend to all. It was impossible to go anywhere with her without bumping into someone she knew. She is mourned by so many wonderful people who were blessed to have spent time with her, celebrated occasions big and small, and shared numerous wonderful experiences together. Wherever Jane was, whether at home or away, the space would be filled with friends and family, joy and laughter, music and fun. Her love of people was only trumped by her love of animals. She shared a special connection with her pets and all of the animals nature had to offer. Whether talking to a spider while she carried it outside or justifying why her pet mule Daisy kicked her every so often, she had a deep reverence and empathy for all creatures. She often blamed watching Disney movies as a child for this problem. Jane had an incredible green thumb and inherited a passion for cooking from her Southern-born Mother. She loved music, especially from the 50’s. Movies, mostly comedies. Anything on PBS or very British television. She was an avid genealogist and dedicated member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was very active in Friends in England at Forest Hills and traveled to Europe with friends several times. She lived to play board games and cards, especially Euchre. She made it clear not to call her during Jeopardy, where she could usually be found answering the questions out loud faster than the contestants. She never failed to tell a great story or deliver a hilarious joke at just the right moment. With her husband Jay, she became an avid antique collector, race fan, car enthusiast, river girl and Harley Momma. Most of all, she loved to coordinate plans with her friends and family. She had so much love and joy for her friends; in Jane’s eyes, everyone was family. Even her children’s friends were loved like her children, sometimes taking up residence at the house for days at a time. The unconditional love in her heart that she gave to her children and grandchildren was the most rare and special gift a Mother could give. She always cared, even if it showed up in a guilt trip about not spending enough time together… a mom is always right, our time together was too short. Jane Ellen Janes is survived by her husband, John “Jay” W. Janes III; daughters Vicki D. Warren (Patrick), Andrea A. Holtz (Alex), Lisa M. Ripley; a son John J. Robbins (Jennifer); and two stepsons, Thomas “Chad” Williams (Megan) and Robert Williams (Carla). The proud grandmother of Sydney, Aaron (Chelsey), Lesley, Jesse and Brandon “Joe” Warren, Zebulon Holtz, Carli Ripley, Keegan and McKenna Williams and Thomas and Luke Williams and great grandmother to Jude Warren. She leaves behind two dogs, Mahya and Bo and two cats, Lewis and Mikey, countless dear friends and “adopted” kids. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father; infant brother Ernest Cook and husband Thomas Hardy Williams. Services are at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in her memory may be made to Madison County Humane Society.