September 17, 1946 – July 25, 2026
Jane died peacefully at age 79 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, MA. Her final weeks were filled with family, friends, love, and laughter.
Jane was born in Sewickley, PA, near Pittsburgh. She was raised in Stow, Ohio, with sisters Pat and Nancy. Her parents, Ruth and Norman Russell, remarked in her baby book on Jane’s positive disposition, which remained evident throughout her life.
Jane attended The College of Wooster in Ohio, where she met lifelong friends. She graduated in 1968 with majors in English and Philosophy. She began her working life in Pittsburgh as a book buyer, later moving to Rochester, NY, to continue that path at a local department store.
After a few adventurous years, Jane settled in Reading, Massachusetts, near college friends. She earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University and advanced in her career as a buyer at Unitrode and Lau Technologies. After retirement, Jane turned her attention to her love of painting, focusing on watercolors and collage. She attended many seminars and classes through which her artistic style changed and evolved. Her works are lovingly held by family members and many of her friends.
Jane had a romantic partnership with Marie Collamore; they became legally married in 2005, soon after gay marriage was legalized in Massachusetts. Marie predeceased Jane after a long and happy coupledom.
Jane is survived by her sisters, Patricia Ramsey and Nancy Roche, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as a loyal and loving group of friends and artists. Arrangements are pending for a remote/electronic memorial service.
Donations may be made in Jane’s memory to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org or The Reading Public Library Foundation at readingplfoundation.org or a charity of your choice.
