Phoebe Jayne Richards Kindig

Kindig, Phoebe Jayne Richards
August 28, 1913 - January 29, 2010
Phoebe Jayne, Jayne as her friends called her, was born at home to her parents Mamie and Horace Richards in Morristown, New Jersey. She had an older sister Phyllis and a younger brother James, both deceased. The family moved to Oak Park before she was a year old and later the family took up residency on Pearson Street in Chicago across the street from the Chicago Water Tower. The family attended the Fourth Presbyterian Church and Jayne attended Ogden elementary and Waller High School. As a very beautiful 17 year old Jayne attended the American Academy of Fine Arts and became an artist model for two well know artist's of the day, Andrew Loomis and Haddon Sundblom. Sundblom popularized the rolly polly round cheeked, red nosed Santa Claus popular to this day. Jayne appeared in print and billboard advertisements for Coca Cola, Rice Krispies and Schlitz beer. She attended National College of Education and met her husband William Daniel Kindig, Bill, while she was working at the Northwestern Train station during the 1933 World's Columbian Exposition. They courted and were married June 30, 1934 at Saint Chrysathums Church. They had three children, William Richards (Dick), James Daniel, who died at birth, and Phoebe Diane John. The Family moved to Evanston in 1946 and Jayne and Bill were active in Hemmingway Methodist Church. She was active in her high school sorority, and was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls' leader. The Kindig household was always filled with neighborhood children because, Jayne, who enjoyed cooking, always kept the cookie jars filled. After her own children were grown, Jayne's love of children led her to teaching and she taught at Marge Mitchell's pre-school in Winnetka and Covenant Methodist Church in Evanston. Jayne's husband of 47 years, Bill, passed away in 1987 prompting Jayne to give up her home in Evanston, and the harsh Chicago winters, to head to Sun City, Arizona and reconnect with one of her childhood friends. She enjoyed traveling, tending her fruit trees and beautiful rose garden. While in Arizona she studied painting, to which she devoted considerable time and effort, and became quite accomplished. In 1994 she returned to Evanston to be closer to her grandchildren and growing number of great-grandchildren. She took up residency at The Swedish Retirement Association in Evanston, now Three Crowns Park. She truly enjoyed living there and often said it was one of the best decisions of her life. While there she served as President of The Residents' Council. Jayne is survived by her two children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 15th at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Three Crowns Park. Donations may be made in Jayne's memory to your favorite charity or Three Crowns Park.