Jane Wendell, 85, died May 25, 2018, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She was predeceased by all four of her siblings, Ralph, Paul, Bob and Mildred; her parents, Charles and Eva Ireland; her husband, Luther Tarr; and her only child, Susan Smart. Jane is survived by her grandsons, Ryan and Zachary Smart; great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Jacob; great niece, Laura Lewis; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Jane was born in Muncie, Indiana, on March 17, 1933, and had her only child in 1951. Left a single mother at age 20, she was an unsurpassed example of a brave, intelligent, independent, “modern” matriarch.
Jane’s greatest love was her daughter Susan and you rarely saw them apart if Jane wasn’t working. They had a bond and friendship throughout their lives that is seldom seen. When Susan’s children were born, Jane took great pride and enjoyment in her role was as “Nana.” She was an amazing grandmother, friend and role model for her grandsons.
Jane consistently put herself “on the line” to champion and protect her family and friends. Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, she worked long hours, made a wonderful home for her daughter and helped raise other people’s children and grandchildren, always sharing whatever she had with others. As so many of her friends and family can attest, having Jane in your corner made all the difference.
While Jane was a powerful force for good, she also knew how to have fun. She bowled, roller-skated, hiked, biked, danced and could hold her own in a sword fight. She was always up for travel, musicals, concerts, fine dining and playing hooky to go see “Mamma Mia.”
Jane could do anything she put her mind to. Although she was unable to attend college after graduating high school at 16, she deeply valued learning and education, pursuing new expertise and skills throughout her life. Jane attained the most difficult and rigorous brokerage NASD Series licenses, took community college classes for anything that sparked her interest and completed her first River Run on her 50th birthday. Jane’s intelligence and work-ethic allowed her to rise through the ranks of Merrill Lynch and its predecessors, retiring from Merrill Lynch in 2006 after 54 years.
Jane was an inspiration to those who knew her. She invested her time, advice and money in other’s pursuits to better themselves, always encouraging scholastic and professional achievement and a healthy, active lifestyle. Jane left a profound mark on many people fortunate enough to be her family, friends and colleagues. Her grace, humor, goodwill and obstinance live on through these people today.
A gathering was held Friday, June 1 at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home to share memories of Jane. Please visit the online tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com.
Arrangements by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home.
