We found out just before New Year's that Jane's cancer was metastatic, which was then complicated by pneumonia and a stroke last Friday. We had hoped to have more time with her, of course, but we were able to have good conversations with her in the last week. Yesterday, her brother and cousins came together with us to sit at her side. We listened to music that she loved, and watched the broadcast of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech, which Jane attended in person in 1963. Her grandson Torben had visited her during the weekend, and they blew each other kisses. The hospital chaplain and her own pastor both came to offer prayers. Her wonderful nurse Amalee made sure that she was not in pain, and the room was filled with photos, and a wonderful view of the city from the 11th floor at St. Vincent's. There was talk of Barack, baseball, and barbecue, all around her, all day.
We kissed her goodnight and headed home to Torben. The nurse called us to let us know Jane passed away soon after we left. (Knowing Jane, she was more ready than we were, and was probably just waiting for us to get the heck out.)
We are planning a service and celebration for Jane in early February and will let you know the details as soon as we have them. Please see the links on this page for a list of organizations with which Jane was involved, and consider supporting one of them in her memory.
Jane would always say "I only tell good stories", so we would love it if you would share yours here.
Peace, Love, & Carpe Diem,
Jason & Maya
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Thank you, Mom. I'll love you always.
ReplyDeleteI'll share a few stories and more pics soon.
I met Jane when my husband Bruce and I moved to 9th St.in Park Slope in 1990. At that time she owned the fun and wonderfully funky Scouting Party. Going to "Jane's" was always a treat and always a stop for people who came out to visit us.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Park Slope until 2001 and after we moved we continued to stay in touch with Jane.
She came out to visit us once dragging a luggage cart full of Scouting Party stuff for us since by then the store had closed.
She knew of our plans to open a store here in our town and she told us she'd be available to help with the details.
Jane and her Scouting Party were always the inspiration and if we ever get that store open in these tough times, Jane's spirit will be present. Her joy,humor,creativity and encouragement will be truly missed.
She was a one of kind.
Much love to you both - Jane was a wonderful woman and as I communicated to Jason yesterday, my life was radically changed by her being there for me.
ReplyDeleteJane was first my neighbor since I would come to her store, The Scouting Party, to check out all the interesting things there. The store provided me with a really great sense that I was living in a "for real" Brooklyn neighborhood where the residents were intelligent, warm and real.
Jane was next my employer, as she was kind enough to offer me a job when I needed one. I spent countless hours with her at that store, sorting and selling books. It was one of the best working experiences of my aimless early 20s - laid back and stress free with good people and music to go along.
Of course, when I befriended her punk kid, on his way to make a ruckus in the basement, a lot of doors opened to me - so in this respect as well I owe Jane a lot again.
The roots that grew from that short time in the store, are the starting point of many wonderful events and relationships in my life. I will always remember that, and role she played.
Jason & Maya & Torben, I am terrifically moved and mourn her loss with you.
Jane was one of the first "grown-ups" I ever met (when I was in Montessori school IIRC), but she certainly didn't act the part. She was quirky, funny, and certainly for kids, a lot of fun to be around. I figured that out from a young age, and that is how I will always remember her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that she had a chance to get to know her grandson. My own mother died of cancer when our daughter Isabella was in utero, and so she missed that opportunity. I'm sure Torben brought her a lot of joy in her final days, and perhaps this made her leaving less painful.
7th and 10th was so long ago and (relatively) far away. I remember the dinosaur rulers. And I remember when they came back. And I remember the day your mom gave me Act One by Moss Hart. I asked her, Why? She said, Just read it. I still have the book. I've always thought of Jane when I've gone back over it, through the years. 22 or 23, by now.
ReplyDeleteJane is lucky she had you as her support. She couldn't have had better
ReplyDeletecare or more loving people around her. Torben was her joy!
I am sure Jane was happy that she was finally able to realize her dream of
bringing the family together. But what a way to do it. I know she was
aware all day that we were all there. I am glad she is finally at peace no
doubt starting another Baseball League or Scouting Party.
Anyone that knew Jane knew she loved Brooklyn; she loved Baseball; she loved jazz and she loved both of you but her joy was Torben. She and I would go on and on about the grandchild in our lives. I also have one grandson and we talked constantly about how wonderful it was to have these two little people who just gave us such joy.
ReplyDeleteOne of Jane’s favorite pastimes was going to the weekly Senior Center thrift sales she adored them. After she made her purchases she would come into my office and show Carol Seischab and I her newly acquired treasures and if we liked something she would ask us if we wanted it and then just give it away.
We spent many a lunch hour in my office talking about the Scouting Party; in the early 80’s I was the Director of Finance for the Prospect Park Alliance and used to be in that store once a week. We certainly did not remember each other but were amazed at what a small world it is.
Jane was witty, funny and a delight to be around and will be missed by me personally and by all who knew her at Saint Peter’s.
My love and condolences go to you and Jason. Jane was a remarkable woman.
ReplyDeleteA BRAVER SOUL I HAVE NEVER MET. SHE WILL BE MISSED AND ALWAYS REMEMBERED. I CANNOT TELL YOU ALL THE JOY THAT SHE HAD FELT FROM YOUR FAMILY, AND THE LOVE SHE HAD FOR YOU THREE.
ReplyDeleteI only knew your mother a very short time, and it made me wish I could have known her longer. She was a special lady, didn't mince words, and did not hesitate to tell me how much the two of you and the baby meant to her.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I only knew her the shortest of time......I feel blessed to have met her.
ReplyDeleteWe are really gonna miss her.
I knew in my heart that my dear friend was not doing well at all, but Jane being Jane did not want to "trouble" me.
ReplyDeleteThe world is a sadder place without her in it. Ray and I were so blessed to of met her when we did almost 7 1/2 years ago.
Wow... it's odd to think about all the way's Jane had an impact on my life. She called herself my 2nd mom and it's not at all untrue.
ReplyDeleteI first met Jane in around 1984 or 1985 when I was in high school and jane had the less wonderful shop that she later upgraded from. I started going there a lot and eventually wanted some things I couldn't afford. She gave me my first job in trade for things I liked--photo books, mannequins and hats. I helped out some in the transition to the new shop. I took a lot of pictures of the mannequins in the shop and sometimes would dress her on the street. I think Jane called her main mannequin tootsie and she would sing toot toot tootsie so long (?? is that the words?)
Jane was kind of like the kind therapist bartender who everyone would bring their troubles to. I was no exception and I used to visit the shop on college vacations (odd, I still dream of that).
I remember getting a lot of hats from the shop and still have one (my mom just sent it to me from Brooklyn). Now... I'm a milliner.
In 1991 after graduating college I was single and Jane kept telling me I needed to meet a friend who came to the shop named David. I resisted heartily and then spent 8 mostly happy years with David. Jane knew a thing or 2 about a thing or 2.
I send my love from Seattle. Jason, thanks for lending me your mom over the years. knowing her truly changed my life for the better.
oops. my user id doesn't identify me.. the comment above is from marisa vitiello.
ReplyDeleteJane was so much a part of who I am that I am finding it difficult to pick just one memory. I am diminished by her loss and yet so enriched by having been her friend.
ReplyDeleteThe Scouting Party was just a front for her real mission which was to bring people together. And that she did.
She was generous. Who ever walked out of that store without a gift? A pair of earrings you couldn't afford but she gave them to you anyway or a piece of wisdom to ponder. You knew walking in that there was a friend there who cared. And would listen and listen..........
Jason, Maya, Torbin, Tommy and Susan she loved you all and it kept
her going when thing got rough. You will never know all the hearts she touched, the people whose lives she changed and made better.
We know who we are and we thank Jane for everything she did. I thank her and will remember her forever.
With so much love
Pat
had only known your Mom for a short time - we met over "books" I was giving away outside my apartment door. I had never met Jane and we introduced ourselves and faced each other as two women who had lived our lives in and through a unique era. Over the next two hours we covered every topic on anything from men to hair color - laughing and sharing story after story. It's rare that you meet a kindred soul - someone who just knows what you mean - not a lot of explanation necessary. We met from time to time and continued to laugh and cry together. It does not matter that we only knew each other a short time - she was in my life and that is enough and I feel that my presence in her life was felt the same way. We touched each other's soul with a familiarity that spanned time. She will always live in my heart.
ReplyDeleteJane was a magnificent soul. Though I only met her a few times 2 things about her were immediately evident to me. One was her warm and generous spirit. The other was that her favorite “good story” to tell was how proud she was of her “almost perfect” son and his family. She clearly loved you all so dearly.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about the great places in the Park Slope of my childhood (I'm in my late 30s now) and thought of the Scouting Party. I did a search online and found this Blog. I'm so sorry to read that Jane has passed away. She was lovely. I bought my first used books at the Scouting Party - along with tons of other stuff. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDelete