Louise "Jane" Punwani

1941 - 2017

Louise "Jane" Nolan Punwani, 75, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home on June 6, 2017, surrounded by her family. Jane is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Dr. Indru Chatomal Punwani, daughters Gita Punwani (Alex Auseon) and Tara Punwani (Jason Ross), grandchildren Eloise, Ramona, and Nolan, sister Nancy Wade, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louise and Walter Nolan, along with her sister, Ann Hoskins. Jane was born in Sewickley, PA, on October 21, 1941. She developed an early love of reading, often staying up late into the night devouring books that were acquired secretly through mail order, much to the consternation of her parents. She spoke fondly of growing up in the 1950s, spending her youth collecting and studying horses, dogs and trains, listening to Elvis Presley and the Temptations, drinking Coca Cola from soda fountains at Jones Drug Store, and shining shoes in her father's shop with her sisters Nancy and Ann. After graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School, Jane went on to attend Bethany College in West Virginia, receiving a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship through Punjab University in India, where she traveled to conduct research on Rabindranath Tagore and teach English as a Second Language. Following her stay in India, Jane received her M.Ed in International and Developmental Education at the University of Pittsburgh and met her future husband while working in the Office of International Student Affairs. After they married, Jane and Indru lived abroad in Bergen, Norway, where she completed four years of additional graduate study in Social Anthropology on India while Indru worked as part of the dental faculty at University of Bergen College of Dentistry. Indru and Jane eventually settled in Evanston, IL, where Jane dedicated her time to raising her young daughters. She volunteered as the elementary school "art lady" and served as PTA president for the Evanston Skokie School District. She became a professional volunteer, committing her time to the Unitarian Church of Evanston, the League of Women Voters, Invest, the Commission on Aging, and Literature for all of Us. Her continued love for reading lead her to Platypus Book Shop, where Jane worked for 5 years until its closing in 1995. When her daughters went to college, Jane accepted a position at Seniors Action Service, an agency dedicated to providing home health workers to people in need. After retirement, Jane and her best friend Lynne, seeking the title of "true intellectuals," enrolled in the Basic Program at the University of Chicago's Graham School, spending 4 years reading and discussing great works from Aristotle to Tocqueville. Jane and Indru's shared love of travel took them frequently to England, Norway and India, with added adventures in Asia, South America, South Africa, and much of Europe. Paris was always her favorite. Along the way, they collected friends, recipes, ideas and artifacts, all of which found their way into their home and hearts. She was an amazing cook, frequently drawing upon her travels and innate knowledge to bake with precision and cook without a recipe in sight. In her later years, she could often be found spending the afternoons cooking with her grandson, Nolan. Jane's passion for learning, her love of books, the connections and relationships with family, friends, and anyone she met remained consistent throughout her lifetime. She will always be regarded as a kind, gentle, and selfless person, with a gift for listening to others. A true libra, she never spoke in absolutes, imparting her ability to see all sides. She will forever be missed by all who knew and loved her. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2017, at 1 p.m., at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave., Evanston. In lieu of flowers, Jane requested that donations be made on her behalf to National Public Radio, P.O. Box 791490, Baltimore, MD, 21279-1490; Planned Parenthood of Illinois, 18 S. Michigan Ave., 6th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60603; or The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL, 60201. Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or www.habenfuneral.com.