Jane Gilman

Jane Thompson Gilman, 57, formerly of Bedford died peacefully at home in Santa Cruz, CA on May 5th, 2011 after a valiant battle against cancer. Jane was born on February 26, 1952, the third daughter of the late Paul Blanchard and Laura (Thompson) Gilman of Bedford. Jane graduated from Bedford High in 1972, spent time traveling the U.S., attended Middlesex Community College, and received her Bachelors Degree from Amherst College in Amherst, MA. After further travel, Jane moved to San Francisco, CA, residing in the Bay area for many years working for non-profits, taking art classes, and making lovely pottery. Jane returned to New England about 17 years ago and spent most of those years living in North Groton and Plymouth, NH. Jane frequently travelled to TX or FL during the winter months to visit friends and family. Jane is survived by two of her three sisters, Holly J. Gilman of Austin, TX, and Sally May Gilman of Bedford, MA. Jane is also survived by her nephew, Nicholas Gilman Kane of Maynard, MA and her niece, Elizabeth Marie English of Bedford MA. Like her older sister, Gail Gilman, who died six months before her, Jane chose to donate her body to further cancer research by participating in the Willed Body Program through the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Donations made in Janes memory may be made to a cancer research organization or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).