Jane Elizabeth Zeni

Dr. Jane Elizabeth Zeni, 80, of University City, Missouri, passed peacefully in her sleep on March 29, 2026. Born on October 4, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, Jane lived a life of extraordinary purpose, intellectual curiosity, and deep devotion to her family, her community, and those fortunate enough to walk alongside her.
Jane’s love of learning was evident from her earliest days and carried her to some of the finest academic institutions in the world. She earned her BA in English from Harvard University, her MA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, and her MEd from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, before completing her EdD at the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 1985.
She went on to build a distinguished career at UMSL, where she served for nearly 30 years directing the English Education program, retiring as Professor Emerita in 2007. Among her proudest professional achievements was founding the Gateway Writing Project, the official St. Louis site of the National Writing Project — a legacy that helped shape generations of teachers and writers. She was the author of WritingLands: Composing with Old and New Writing Tools (1990), co-author of Mirror Images: Teaching Writing in Black and White, and a prolific contributor to academic journals and publications throughout her life. Jane was, at her core, a lifelong writer.
Jane was a devoted and loving mother who poured her whole heart into raising her sons, Adam Pablo and Mark Hosteen — a role she cherished as deeply as any academic achievement or professional title. Her passions lived on through them: Adam Pablo carried her love of service into his own career as an educator, while Mark Hosteen channeled her passion for the performing arts into a life as a musician.
Beyond the classroom, Jane was an active and beloved member of Union Avenue Christian Church and gave generously of her time to the Musick Neighborhood Association and the University City Urban Forestry Commission. She was also an adventurous spirit who traveled by plane and camper across the world and throughout North America, gathering stories and experiences that enriched both her life and her writing.
For over 48 years, Jane was a devoted and proud member of the recovery community, a commitment she considered one of the greatest achievements of her life. She gave back tirelessly through service and was a beacon of experience, strength, and hope to countless others whose lives she quietly and profoundly changed.
Jane is lovingly survived by her husband, Owen; her children, Adam Pablo (Lolita), Mark Hosteen, and Brian (Gayle); her grandchildren, Kristin, Caleb, Tyler, and Brendan; and her great-grandchildren, Giana and Elliot. She was preceded in death by her father, Rudolph Zeni, and her mother, Doris (Auclair) Zeni.
To her grandchildren, she was simply “Mimi” — and that may have been the title she cherished most of all.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date at Union Avenue Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to U-City in Bloom — a fitting tribute to the woman who loved flowers, cherished her garden, and devoted herself to the University City community where she planted her deepest roots.