It was a beautiful spring day April 7th 1946 when Ada Jane McIntyre came into our world. The 6th child of Henry and Bert McIntyre, Jane was expected to pull her weight around the family farm - getting up at 4am to feed the chickens, collect the eggs and milk the cows before going off to school. Later she would tell her kids how much she loved school, because to her it felt like a "vacation". Jane grew and excelled, eventually graduating and moving to Troy to work at the local manfacturing company.
In Troy, she moved into a boarding house operated by Lena Dennis, a fortuitous event for Jane and also for Lena's grandson, Maxton Charles Kearns, Jr. Max was in the Coast Guard at the time, but was home on leave the weekend Jane moved in. So the story goes, he offered to help with her move-in by lugging Jane's some 40 pairs of shoes into her new digs. Something sparked - and from then on, Max couldn't wait for shore leave to come home and see her again.
Max and Jane were married on August 20, 1972 surrounded by family and friends. Not surprising as Jane was always surrounded by friends. After 1 more year in Troy, they moved to Hickory where Max began working for Centel's state HQ. Max and Jane were soon blessed with their first bundle of joy, baby daughter Kara in 1977. That went so well Kara was soon followed by baby brother Max III 1979 and sister Erin in 1980. A dedicated and loving Mom, Jane gave her all to her family always putting them first and formost.
The family then moved to Atlanta in 1983. Then there was another move in 1990 to Boca Raton and in 1993 to San Francisco. But no worries for Jane - because she made friends wherever she went. She made friends because she knew how to be a friend. And not just any friend, but a good friend - people that she loved and whom loved her. See, Jane was a giver always doing for others ....and being there for their time in need.
Kara, Max and Erin thrived in California and were ready to go out and face the world thanks to Jane's tutelage. She taught them tough love, respect and honor. But Jane would soon face the greatest challenge of her life. Sadly son Max, at only 22 years of age, was diagnosed with Cancer. Jane's strength in this crisis was amazing. The family fought the good fight, getting Max every possible treatment available at health care facilities nationwide. But the disease prevailed, with Max passing in 2003 with Jane at his side.
Devastated, Jane pulled herself up by her bootstraps to be ready for her next major event, the birth of grandson Kaeleb to daughter Erin followed soon after by the birth of grandson Jackson to daughter Kara. As a mother, Jane was fierce. As a grandmother, she was over the moon with these 2 boys whom she doted on and loved dearly. And these boys loved her...she was their "Moo Moo".
Jane's passing has left a gaping hole in the hearts of all who knew her. She lived her life in the way we all aspire to, always putting the needs of others before her own, always with love and grace. And she will be missed. But her legacy and essence lives on through Max, Kara, Erin, those beautiful boys Kaeleb and Jackson and through all who loved her.
Jane Kearns was a blessing in our lives and she will live in our hearts forever.