Jeanne "Jan" Marie Cholet Sauer

Jeanne "Jan" Marie Cholet Sauer, 91, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away March 27, 2013, surrounded by her family, at St. Anthony's Hospital Lakewood, CO, from complications of pneumonia. Her family lost a beautiful soul and a true hero, a loving mother, doting grandmother, great grandmother, a caring friend, civic leader and political activist. We will forever be honored that she was with us for so long, passing on to us her appreciation for life. We bow our heads in awe and gratitude for this wonderful person, who was our mother. Jeanne was born February 18, 1922, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Mary C. Haywood and Prosper E. Cholet. She graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1940 and St. Elizabeth's College, Morristown, New Jersey, where she majored in biology, in 1944. She supervised a product testing laboratory at Johnson and Johnson's headquarters, in New Brunswick, from 1944 to 1949. Jeanne married Carl J. Sauer, Jr. of Elizabeth, New Jersey, on September 25, 1948, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City. She lived for many years in Cranford, New Jersey. When Jeanne moved to Colorado Springs in 1974, she focused on environmental issues, justice and peace initiatives, nuclear non-proliferation and the rights of the poor, disadvantaged and the elderly. She worked for Planned Parenthood, the Energy Resource Center, the Senior Lobby and the Gray Panthers. She helped organize the Encirclement of the Nevada Test Site on May 10, 1987, Mother's Day. Working with Richard Skorman, they created the U.S. Environmental Film Festival in 1990. Jeanne's commitment to women's issues sent her to Helsinki, Finland, in 1995 as a delegate to the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Jeanne's favorite "job" was hosting the radio talk show "Circle of Voices" on KRCC. Jeanne is survived by her beloved sister Blanche and brother-in-law, Ray Gandolf; her seven loving children: Barbara Joyce-Evans, Carl J. Sauer III, Lisa C. Sauer, Mary K. Sauer, Colleen J. Sauer, Paul C. Sauer, Henry H. Sauer. She was blessed with six grandchildren: Shannon L. Smith, Rachel A. Storniolo, Katelyn M. Sauer, Elizabeth R. Passmore, Adam M. Mueller and Hayden R. Sauer and one great granddaughter, Olivia G. Smith; nieces, the Gandolfs and cousins, the Eckels. The funeral service for Jeanne will be on Saturday, May 18, 2013, beginning at 12 noon, in the Chapel of the Little Sisters of the Poor, 3629 W. 29th Ave, Denver, Co, 80211. The family would appreciate donations made in her honor, to the Little Sisters of the Poor. A contribution in her name to the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission; KRCC, Colorado College, Colorado Springs or your local NPR station; The Nature Conservancy or The Sierra Club, would be appreciated. To share memories and add comments, please visit "aspenmortuaries.com" and search the name "SAUER."