Jane Garman Hess

I would like to express my greatest sympathy to your family. Jane was a great inspiration to me during my university studies and time in the military. I will always appreciate and remember her encouraging letters, and the time she spent writing to me when my grandfather could not. In the letter she wrote to me after my grandfather’s death, she said there are angels everywhere but they just don’t know they are. She was one of them to us. Best wishes to you and may we all remember her, for her...

Needless to say, our family is especially grieving at Jane's sudden death. She had worked endless hours in the house to care for my Dad and I had hoped this year would finally allow her to travel and get out of the house. We talked often of her future plans and I am glad she was spared the chore of moving. I also have many memories of her from Hunting Ridge and Charlottsville. I have just as many recipes from her! I am so glad to have shared her life and we will miss her especially when we...

I came to know Jane through Jean Goepppinger when I joined the UVA faculty. Jane knew everybody and everything in Charlottesville and was a joy to visit. Her energy and commitment to community was and is inspirational.

Dear Sarah and Justus,

I'll never have a finer neighbor! I already miss your mother's gardening advice...and the stacks of books she'd loan me whenever I got to Charlottesville. (I left the last ones are in a orange book bag in the basement!) AND, I'm a finer cook because of all her recipes.

I'll be thinking of you both, with sympathy, Jean

Dear Justus and Sarah
Please accept my sympathy on your mother's death. I can still see her face and her smile so clearly - after all these years. And I remember walking from our house to yours (across the Cassidy's back yard!) and always finding a warm welcome in your kitchen. I met up with an old friend from elementary school this summer, Joyce Graf Petix, who remembers baby sitting for both of you. I'm sure she has fond memories of your mother too. I'll send her a copy of this website....

I grew up across the street from the Hess's in Charlottesville and became very fond of them, doing their yardwork throughout my teenage years. I was never allowed to go back home without first having a cool drink and some delicious food that Mrs. Hess had prepared. Although I haven't seen her in 3 or 4 years, I think of her often and will miss her. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your family's loss.

Justus and Family,

Please accept the sincere condolences of the Nolan Family at your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family, but particularly with you two, Justus and Sarah.

Jim, Barb, Laura, and Patrick

Jane had such a big impact on me growing up, showing an example of someone who read all the time -- claiming she'd even read the phone book if that was all that was available. And her cooking! And the wonderful dresses that I remember she sewed for Sarah. And taking us along to visit her parents in what seemed like such an exotic locale for someone growing up in the suburbs, the Linn's big-city apartment building in Washington. As my brother wrote, she truly was a second mom, and a dear...

Deepest sympathy for your loss. Love, Doug & Susan Rittenhouse