Jane A. Van Leeuwen

Jane A. Van Leeuwen GLOUCESTER - Jane Aler Van Leeuwen, 89, entered her eternal home Feb. 5, 2009. "Lady Jane" was a member of Ware Episcopal Church and was a devoted Christian who served her church in many capacities during her attendance. She was valedictorian of her 1937 graduating class of Churchland High School and was a 1940 graduate of West Hampton College of the University of Richmond. Knitting, needlepoint and participating in the Ware River Circle of the King's Daughters were among her activities, but her passion was The Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. She was instrumental in placing hundreds of animals in homes through her love for God's creatures, great and small. Jane owned many pets over the years and they were her faithful companions, often riding with her in her daily errands about town in her "Pet Cab." In 1991, she was honored as the Humane Society's Woman of the Year and she participated in a multitude of fund raisers for the support of the animals. Husband, Evan Balfour Van Leeuwen Sr., preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, Evan B. Van Leeuwen Jr. and wife Sandy; daughter, Lynne Lewis and husband Alan of Maryland; grandchildren, Geoff Lewis, Foster Lewis, Kate Hopkins, Evan Van Leeuwen III and Clayton Van Leeuwen; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service officiated by the Rev. Daniel O. Worthington and the Rev. Steve Jolly will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Ware Episcopal Church, 7825 John Clayton Memorial Highway. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends today from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Jane's memory to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061 or Ware Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 616, Gloucester, VA 23061.