Meet Jane: Poems, Fancy Feet and a Cubs Win for the history books
In this month’s Resident Spotlight we open our books to avid writer and life-long Cubs fan Jane. Community Relations Manager Kate and I reached out to Julie, Jane’s oldest daughter, for some stories about her hardworking and honest mother. Julie wrote a beautiful piece of which I have summarized the highlights of below. Read on to find out more about Jane.
Growing Up:
Jane was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents, John and Mae, were often helping their respective families and because of this Jane was surrounded by many adult role models from a young age. When Jane was a young girl, her family moved from Chicago to Barrington. There, Jane met her life-long best friend, who coincidentally, was also named Jane. One of Julie’s favorite stories of Jane’s rambunctious spirit was when she decided to help the landlord with some neighborhood renovations. He had been painting a house, when Jane decided it would look absolutely lovely if she, too, helped out by using the open can of green paint to enhance the sidewalk.
As a teenager, Jane was excited to belong to the first graduating class of the new Barrington High School in 1950. She was a model student earning her the American Legion Certificate of Distinguished Achievement Award for qualities such as honor and leadership. Jane’s integrity was further showcased in her first job in downtown Barrington. As a new employee at a bakery, she was bothered that the owner kept advertising day-old bread as fresh baked bread for customers. Frustrated, she told the competing bakery across the street of their deception. Admiring her honesty, they asked her to work for them instead, which is exactly what she did.
A Well Rounded Career:
After High School, Jane attended Robert Morris Business College. Afterwards, she worked as a Court Reporter for the Chicago Court system where she was in charge of accurately transcribing all trial notes. She then worked at the Chicago and North Western Railroad Offices as a legal secretary. When Jane had her children, she temporarily left the workforce to devote her time to being a stay at home mom. After her children had grown, Jane re-entered the workforce and spent the next 20 years as a secretary for McHenry High School’s East Campus Special Programs Director and School Psychologist.
Words, words, words:
Since a young age, Jane has always had a passion for reading and writing. She loved to read as a child and soon channeled her interest into creating her own stories and plays. She and her friends would then perform them for the neighborhood. One of Jane’s stories was titled “This is Worth Fighting For,” a tragedy she wrote during World War II. In High School, Jane was a school reporter for the paper all four years. Additionally, she won an award her Senior Year for her expertise in Gregg Shorthand. She successfully completed 80 words per minute for five minutes and was judged on speed, legibility and accuracy. Jane continued to write poems and stories all throughout her life and both daughters recall her mother delighted everyone with handwritten poems for their birthdays and other special occasions.
Love at first Letter:
Jane met her future husband, Al, one week before he was stationed overseas in Korea. After that first date, they continued their courtship by exchanging letters. When Al returned home, they decided to get engaged and were married the year after in June of 1956. During that time, the two of them both commuted into the city by train for their respective careers, Al was in education and Jane was currently working for the railroad. Al and Jane enjoyed doing many activities together such as roller skating, bowling and tennis. They were also well known around the town for their fancy footwork and were a local favorite at Weddings for their energy and gracefulness on the dance floor.
Al and Jane also loved to travel together once they were retired. They took a 35th anniversary vacation to Hawaii and additionally went on several overseas and river cruises. These cruises included exciting locations such as the Rhine River, the Black Sea, Canada and Alaska. On the homefront, they were always very active in their church, the betterment of their community, participating in recycling programs, Habitat for Humanity and the Retired Teachers Association.
The Next Chapter:
Jane and Al had two daughters, the oldest Julie and her younger sister Valerie. Julie recalls that her mother was very loving, devoted, caring and supportive - always volunteering in both children’s school and activity programs. She also said, “she loved to cook, bake, try out new recipes (and, Wow! my Dad absolutely loved my Mom's cooking!).” Julie and Valerie both married and stayed nearby in the area. Jane and Al were thrilled they would be nearby as their families grew. Jane now has four grandkids and five great-grandchildren, the youngest being born just this May. Jane and Al adored their grandchildren and were very close to them all. According to Julie, one of their favorite things to say was, “If I’d known grandchildren were this much fun, I’d of had them first!”
Jane and Al shared their love of traveling and the outdoors with their children and grandchildren. In the summer they would often rent a motor home to go on road trips all across the United States. One favorite destination was the Grand Canyon which the family visited in 2004.
Jane and Al built their dream home together in 1983. The Log Cabin paradise they created for their family brought everyone unending joy enabling them to go sail boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, ice skating, and ice hockey right in their backyard! Julie recalls that some of her favorite family memories came from here.
Go Cubs Go:
No Resident Spotlight on Jane would be complete without mentioning her life long support of her Chicago Cubbies. Jane and Al have been Chicago Cubs fans their entire life and have passed that dedication onto their family. Every year, Jane and Al made sure to take their grandchildren into the city to enjoy a game at Wrigley Field. And to add extra joy to their 60th year wedding anniversary, that was the year the Cubs finally won the World Series. It's like it was meant to be.
We’d like to thank Jane and Julie for their time and for their wonderful anecdotes. We are so glad to have Jane as one of our Residents in Heathers Community.
Jane and Al's favorite quote:
