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FUNERAL HOME

Darling & Fischer Garden Chapel

471 East Santa Clara Street

San Jose, California

Jane Edwards Obituary

Jane Edwards Age 54 of Berkeley, CA. Visitation Wednesday, October 12, 2005 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service starting at 5:00 p.m. at Darling-Fischer Garden Chapel, 471 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News on Oct. 10, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Jane Edwards

18 Entries

john faley

November 15, 2005

It was a very sad day when the world lost Jane Edwards. Jane was a great mountainer, but more importantly a very open and kind individual. I will never forget her inclusiveness (and that of her parents) nor her sparkle and wit. Her and Gordon are probably doing hinkey-pinkeyies at this moment, and the angels are looking on, as clueless as I usually was...

Phil Shanholtzer

November 10, 2005

In many ways, I didn't know Jane well, and yet I counted her among my best friends. You really can't hike and climb in high places with someone and not become their friend -- and I looked forward to hiking and climbing with Jane every year. As we love the mountains, so we love the people who love the mountains. I'm confident Jane is walking up high somewhere.

Tom Kotynski

November 8, 2005

Jane was a friend and I will miss her. I specifically sought out her Glacier Mountaineering Society Week hikes because of her gentle and knowledgeable leadership. Last summer she asked to be included on her father's favorite climb, the Reynolds Diagonal, and entertained us all with stories of previous times on this climb. Then, the next day she helped a fellow climber find me and another climber after he had become separated from us on the climb through the Iceberg Notch. I'll hold these last memories of her dearly.

Judith Fisher Shafter

October 19, 2005

I was deeply saddened to learn of Janie's passing. Although I have not seen her for many years, I have fond memories of the summers at Many Glacier that our families shared camp space, and our dads climbed together. Jane led us in concocting "camp sno cones" which conisted of smacking a bag of ice from the store with the back of a kindling hatchet, pouring in the lemonaide powder, and mushing it around until it looked "done". Jane went on to become successful in many ways, and recognized in her career field, but I have fond memories of her, just being a kid.

We loved going to visit the Edward's camp at Many. A few times, they visited us in Columbia Falls. I remember being so impressed with Jane's abilities at the piano. She was very accomplished, even as a young teenager. Gordon used to play honky tonk and our dog would sit by the piano and howl!

The Glacier community has lost a two very special champions of its beauty and wonder, with Gordon, and now Jane gone. My heartfelt sympathy to Alice.

Judy Fisher Shafter

Bill and Marie Blunk

October 18, 2005

We were deeply saddened to hear of Jane's passing. We will always remember her as thoughtful, caring , and so full of enthusiasm. Jane always listened with intensity and made you feel welcome. Her kindness shone through in all she did.

Some of our fondest memories of her are the times at the GMS picnics when she would run and play with our boys. She was always up for enjoying a new game.

Her ready smile and enthusiasm warmed everyone. We will miss her.

Jane was an outstanding climb leader and volunteered to coordinate GMS climbs every year. Like her father, she always made sure that all participants, even complete novices, were safe and having a good time.

We send our deepest sympathy to Alice

Keith Hollister

October 17, 2005

I met the Edwards family in 1964. Jane and I are the same age and back then I thought it was cool to know a girl mountain climber. I was invited to pioneer a new route on Mt Allen with them and John Mauff in 1968. You can imagine the wit and humor coming from all of them, even during the bushwacking.

My vacation was pointedly scheduled around the GMS week next summer to become a member and see Jane again. I should have done it years ago. I should have. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Alice at the loss of a beautiful daughter. My parents, Bill and Katie, send theirs as well.

Becky Cousins

October 15, 2005

I wish to convey my deepest sympathy to Alice in the loss of her wonderful, outstanding, and very precious daughter.

Gary and Karla Yates

October 14, 2005

Karla and I feel very fortunate to have known Jane, and to have shared her friendship. She was a wonderful person, and we will always cherish our memories of her. We will miss her very, very much.

Gary and Karla Yates

Lisa Andres

October 13, 2005

I too knew Jane through Chaos and remember her kindness, humor and strength.

Stephen Smith

October 12, 2005

Jane will be profoundly missed by our climbing organization, the Glacier Mountaineering Society. A friend recently shared with me a photo I had never seen of Jane on the back of Gordon, must have been at age 2, hiking in the Many Glacier valley with Gordon and Alice. Glacier Park was in her blood from birth, and her life experience in the Park is one I hope my own two little boys have a chance at emulating. Until her death, she had been an active, vocal member of the GMS Board for many years and the Board members always valued her contributions.

One small incident that happened this summer would normally not be worth noting, but in retrospect it seems to speak to Jane's character. I happened upon Jane on the front porch of Swiftcurrent Motor Inn this summer in Glacier one evening after 11 pm during GMS week. She was comforting a mildly disoriented man who had just come off the Swiftcurrent Pass trail alone in the dark and was missing his two companions, whom we knew. She and I discussed what to do to help him find his buddies, and we figured out that they might be waiting at the Iceberg Lake trailhead because they had done a loop - and sure enough, they were! Jane drove this man over there about a 1/4 mile away and he was much relieved and appreciative of her efforts, probably unaware of Jane's identity. I have been thinking this week of how she handled the incident with professionalism, exposing her thoughtful side but adding with it a dose of her varied experience.

She will be missed by all of us in the GMS, and we wish Alice the best through this most difficult time.

Laura Shearin

October 12, 2005

I was privileged to hike and climb with Jane and her family many times in Glacier Park. Jane's dedication and interest in her profession (and her ability to chat about it in layman's terms) as well as her skill and delight in the outdoors made her a great trail buddy and an inspiring person to be around. I am so sad to hear of her untimely death. My heart goes out to Jane's mom, Alice, at this sad news.

Ken McDermott

October 12, 2005

Jane was an outstanding mountaineer and a wonderful, warm & humble human being. Jane was a joy to be with and I always looked forward to the opportunity to climb with her during Glacier Mountaineering week each year. She will be dearly missed.

I feel closest to the creator when I'm in the mountains, where the wonders of nature are close at hand, the views are stunningly beautiful and the peaks rise up to the heavens. If there are mountains in heaven, Jane and Gordon are sure to be there pioneering new routes. My thoughts and prayers are with Jane, her mother Alice and family at this difficult time.

Denis & Shirley Twohig

October 12, 2005

It is difficult to find the words to express our profound sadness over the sudden passing of Jane.

In our mountaineering circle of friends Jane was a "chip off the old block", a wonderful climber and leader and a central component of the Glacier Mountaineering Society.

We will miss her terribly, but will fondly remember the wonderful times spent in her company among Glacier's lofty peaks.

Paul Cammer

October 12, 2005

Though I called her “Jane” to her face, she will forever be “Janie” to me. For that’s what her dad always called her (in later years, only in her absence). I’ve known Janie and her family for 3½ decades and, as everyone knows, a more wonderful, generous group of people cannot be found anywhere. Janie had the selflessness, the generosity, and that gentle, humble strength that seems to be a prerequisite for entrance into that family. At least a couple times each year a student asks me what I think the purpose of life is, and I always answer the in the same way: To leave the world a better place than it was because you were here. Not everyone accomplishes this, but Janie sure did, even though she left us far too soon. Thanks, Janie.

Alice, J Gordon and Jane Edwards on a climb of Grinnell Point in Glacier National Park.

October 11, 2005

Mike Scarpulla

October 11, 2005

I got to know Jane through a photography show for CHAOS last year. She was one of the most enthusiastic people with photos in the show and was always there to help wput theings together. Although I knew her only briefly, the news of her passing has impacted me; she will be missed.

Ralph Thornton

October 11, 2005

Jane was a good friend and great mountaineer. She made many, many ascents in Glacier National Park and other mountainous areas of the world. Whenever Jane was on a climb you could count on lively, exuberant and witty conversation. She made tremendous contributions to the Glacier Mountaineering Society. Jane was a charter member, served as GMS Secretary and was just reelected to the board of directors. Jane was awarded the J. Gordon Edwards Lifetime Achievement award in 2003. Her presence will be missed by all of us who shared and enjoyed her camaraderie in the mountain environment of Glacier National Park. I offer my condolences to her mother Alice on this great loss. May Jane rest in peace.

Darling Fischer Garden Chapel

October 9, 2005

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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