Jane Isakson Lea

Jane Isakson Lea passed away on May 21, 2015, of abdominal cancer. She was born at home in Seattle on September 18, 1927, the daughter of Fred Isakson and Ester Ostrom Isakson. As a young woman, she traveled with her parents to Sweden with the goal of the family remaining for a year. Her father left early, leaving Jane and her mother to remain and become acquainted with their relatives and the Swedish language. This whetted Jane's interest in the Swedish language, so she returned to Seattle where she enrolled in the University of Washington and pursued her Bachelor's in Scandinavian Studies. Jane later received a scholarship to earn her Master's in Librarianship. In 1952 Jane married Johnellis Jones, who died of a brain tumor in 1971. Jane in 1972 then married Jim Lea, a good friend of Jane and Johnellis.

During her adult years, Jane was a charter member and active dancer with Nordiska Folkdancers and a strong supporter of the Swedish Club. Jane remembered her parents' work supporting the construction of the Swedish Club on Dexter Avenue when some other Club members worried that it was located "too far out." Jane carried on her interest in the Scandinavian community by serving as a Trustee of the Nordic Heritage Museum and being awarded "Swede of the Year" at the Swedish Club in 2008. Jane continued backing the Swedish Club, eventually forming The Jane Isakson Lea Foundation, which supports the Swedish Club and other Swedish cultural activities in the region. Donations in her honor may be made to The Jane Isakson Lea Foundation, at 2442 NW Market St., PMB #295, Seattle, WA 98107.

Friends are invited to a gathering to honor Jane and her contributions to the community on Sunday, June 14, 2015, from 3 to 5 PM at the Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on May 31, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Jane Lea

Sponsored by The Family.

6 Entries

Trella Hastings

May 25, 2023

It's hard to believe it has been 8 years since Jane has passed. Even though she is no longer with us, her work with the Swedish Club continues with her generous donations through the Jane Lea Foundation she started there. She is missed by her many friends and those from the Friends Lunch bunch.

May 21, 2016

Condolences to the Lea family. Sorry for your loss. Cherish your many fond memories and know that life without end in paradise is to come (Matthew 5:5).

June 11, 2015

Jim, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I met Jane a few times when you were still here at Cascade Designs, Inc. She was a lovely, lovely woman. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Clare Lamberty Horky from Cascade Designs, Inc.

Lily Durbin

June 11, 2015

My condolences. My thoughts and prayers for her husband Jim for his loss.

Trella Hastings

June 8, 2015

I met Jane when I moved to WA in 1967. She was very active in all things Swedish, including dancing, traveling to Sweden nearly every year, supporting the Swedish Club and Nordic Heritage Museum. She was part of our brown bag lunch group which has gone on for many years. She also attended the monthly pancake breakfasts with friends and sat at the same table each time. She will be greatly missed by all. I wish peace for her husband, Jim, in his loss.
~Trella Hastings, Shoreline, WA

Marilyn Carlson

June 4, 2015

Jane and I have been close friends for an amazing number of years--67 years! We first met in the Scandinavian Club at the U of W. Before long we were demonstrating folk dances with Nordiska, and continued to perform for many years. We always had fun together, whether it was eating Kringle at Larsen's Bakery; soaking in a hot tub in Vancouver, B.C.; hiking on the Great Wall of China; or just cruising on a ship. As you know, Jane was adventurous and liked to travel. She was also a confident and competent person. She wielded a hammer and whatever tools were needed to help build her house. She could cut and sew an intricate ladies garment as well. I am sure Jane enjoyed her life and appreciated it. I hope that will bring you some comfort, Jim. I know we all appreciated having her as a friend and will always have nice memories.

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