I finally decided to post my thoughts even though I think that they sound really dorky.

It has been almost 30 years since Geoff told me that he was getting married, I was so surprised and I wondered who was she and how on earth did she manage to get him to talk for more than 2 minutes! She was an absolute joy and delight. It turned out that Geoff and Jane were perfect for each other. The way that they treated one another, by all of the little things that they did spoke volumes of their love for one another. They were so cute together. Geoff would go hmmmm, and they would look at each other and smile. They shared music and sailing, hiking and traveling, gardening and taking care of elderly parents. I think that at one point between them they had learned everything about elder care in the states of Washington and Illinois. 

I will miss talking to her on the telephone, Geoff would call me on his way home from Costco (Jane and I would joke that it was his favorite store) and then Geoff would give the phone to Jane or put it on speaker and we would visit. Mostly just talking about what was going on that day. 

I will miss Jane and the joy that she shared with Geoff.  I know that she is now in Heaven keeping watch over Geoff and playing and singing with the Celestial Choir. All that we have to do is to be still within and we will hear her yet once again.

Jane spoke many times of the Symphony Band tour. In 2008, we attended the second reunion of the members of the tour band. It was a really great group of people. And it seemed like the stories she liked to tell about the tour were actually true. And the respect and affection they all had for Dr. William D. Revelli, the band director, was really heartwarming.

The attached M-Fanfare newsletter includes a story and pictures of the reunion. See pages 1,4, 5, 6, and 7. Click on the PDF icon to read the newsletter.

Two only-child girls found each other as first semester freshmen at the University of Michigan and we stayed together for the next four years. Together in everything.

Since our graduation she had her music and I had my art and we both followed our paths, happy and secure in the fact that we had both made the right choice for our life. Our lives were parallel in more ways than mere chance would suggest. Living in many different locations, taking care of our parents at the end of their lives, and the fact that cancer touched both of our lives.

Although we lived thousands of miles apart after Ann Arbor each time we talked it was as if we were still roommates, as if we had last talked just days before. We had a friendship that was based in love and respect that endured for 50 years. I will never forget her.

I only talked to Jane about 4 times and it was always with it was always with Goeffrey.  Goeff and I were shipmates on the USS Queenfish from 1971-1975.  We were in the same division and had the same duties so we got to know each other quite well.

From the first time I met Jane, I thought that Goeffrey had really lucked out.  A pretty adventuress girl who loved music and sailing.  A perfect match it seemed, and every time I met them after that, I felt the same way.  

I know the feeling of loss is devastating right now to all of those who knew her well.  I for one am glad for her life because she gave my friend so much happiness and now so many fond memories.

To my friend and shipmate Goeffrey, I am so sorry for your loss and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Aloha Ino,

Frank

I was late-in-life to find my cousin Janie, but the 20 or so years we had together were grand. We had the Leeson past in our lives and We clicked from the start.. She was a great gift to me, as she was to many others. She shared unstintingly with those she had in her orbit, both in person and through her wonderful music. As another only child we both knew the expectations of parent care, but Jane really ran it up the flag pole! Her care of her “folks” was truly beyond measure! Though Jane wasn’t one to speak of love in flowery ways, she lived her love everyday. Though there was half of California, half of Washington and all of Oregon between us we managed to connect 2-3 times a year, as we traversed the distances for visits and vacations. Arriving at Jane and Geoff’s home was always warm, secure and and just good, because she went out of her way to make it so.She used to fly around and lament that the house wasn’t perfect and I don’t know if, in her modesty, she ever got that the house mattered not. It was my connection to HER that made all the difference. It still does. I cannot fathom that our always-expected visits will be no more. I must move them to my heart and memory now, as all of us who cared for her must do. Her laugh is very present in memory, as is her spicy little sense of humor. Jane found stuff to laugh about often. Her humor was quick and often unexpected, like the anteater in the B. C. Comics. He would flash out his tongue instantly, with the caption “Zot!!” That was Janie’s humor. Suddenly there you were:“zotted!” quietly, susprisingly, cleverly. She was a smart girl!!

I am so very thankful to Geoff for his labor of love that gave us the ability to hear Janes music now, on this site, at will. Oftentimes when visiting we would go to orchestra practice with J and G. It was so obvious that music inhabited Jane’s very soul, even in the drudgery of daily practice. She taught, she shared, she mastered her art and so many benefited from her gifts. I was often in awe of what she could make come out of that silvery tube!!!

Play on, Dear Jane, in the spheres.