March 18, 1931 – July 15, 2024
Jane Ann Cummings passed away on Monday, July 15, at the age of 93. She will be remembered for her kindness, caring, compassion and humor. She was a great listener. She loved to hear your story and was always willing to help in any way she could.
She was born in Medford on March 18, 1931, the daughter of Ernest Hayward and Esther (MacMillan) Hayward. She was raised in Medford and attended Framingham State College. Framingham was always near and dear to her heart. She married her high school sweetheart – her beloved husband, on June 20, 1953, and they shared 70 years of marriage. Sadly, Bob passed away in August of last year.
She was a loving mother to Donald A. Cummings and his wife Eriko of Melrose; Dr. Robert S. Cummings Jr. and his wife Janna of Hood River, Oregon; Judith L. Cummings of Andover; Dr. Elizabeth C. Shurland and her husband Dr. Abraham T. Shurland, of Reading. She was also a proud, loving grandmother to nine grandchildren: Raisa, Suha, Robert, Janine, Adelaide, David, Glynnis, Rachel and Joseph.
Her passion was people, and her number one person was Bob. She supported him in all of his endeavors and joined him when possible. They enjoyed many happy hours golfing, playing tennis and socializing with close friends at Meadowbrook Golf Club. They also enjoyed going to Loon Mountain to ski, relax and walk the dogs in the woods. She supported him in his passion for skiing and they took many trips to Lech, Austria to ski with close friends. In their later years, although the physical activities slowed down, they continued to enjoy each other’s company and spent many contented hours together along with their pet companion, Andy.
Jane made friends wherever she went. She had lifelong friends from Framingham State College, Reading Garden Club, Reading College Club, Old South United Methodist Church, Meadowbrook Golf Club, her neighborhood in Reading, her neighborhood in New Hampshire, and her yearly ski trips to Austria with Bob. When she was not raising her children and helping out with her grandchildren, she also spent considerable time volunteering. She taught ESL in Revere, delivered books at Aberjona Nursing Home, and grocery shopped for people unable to. She also drove her grandchildren all over Reading: to school, sports, lessons, and playdates. She never said no to helping.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, July 26, from 4-7 at Douglass, Edgerley, and Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.), Reading and a funeral service on Saturday, July 27, 11 am, at Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading. Private burial to follow funeral.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Framingham State University
