Jane S. Caspermeyer

Jane Caspermeyer, of Somerdale, New Jersey, passed away on Monday, December 19th, 2022 after living 92 cherished years of a beautiful life.
Jane Marie Jackwood Smeyda was born on January 20, 1930 to Frank and Jane Smeyda in Easton, PA. The doctor insisted that she be named after her mother, Jane, as it was beautiful. The Smeyda family settled on Adams Street in Wilmington, Delaware where Jane was the second eldest of her siblings Frank, John, Michael, and Maryann.
Jane attended Wilmington High School where she was a member of the honor society and lettered in varsity basketball, volleyball, and tumbling. Nicknamed "Sis", her high school yearbook said she was well-liked by everyone and that "with her personality and charms, she'll go places". After graduating from Wilmington High School in 1947, Jane worked her first job as a secretary for the Wilmington Board of Education.
Jane had a beautiful voice and sang in a musical group with her brother John and sister Maryann named "The Smeyda Trio". They recorded a record and traveled the east coast performing for the USO on military bases. While at a USO dance, Jane met Airman 1/c Richard J. Caspermeyer while he was stationed in Dover, Delaware. That night, he offered to drive her home and Jane offered to pay for gas. When he dropped her off at her front door, he asked for her phone number and then quickly ran off. He later told her he wanted to get to the car as soon as possible to write it down before he forgot. After meeting, Richard left for Greece with the Air Force where he purchased a ring for her while they kept in touch through letters. He proposed shortly after his return.
On June 15, 1957, Jane and Richard were married at St. Paul's Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Jane wore a summer taffeta gown and carried a white prayer book covered with gardenias. They honeymooned in Wildwood, New Jersey before settling down in Clifton Park, Delaware.
Jane and Richard began their family in 1958 with the birth of their first daughter, Sharon Ann, in September. The birth of their second daughter, Diane Marie, came three years later in May of 1961. Jane and Richard moved to Somerdale, New Jersey that same year before having their only son, Gary Richard, in December of 1962. Their daughter, Linda Susan, was born six years later in February of 1968, and the birth of Eileen Leslie completed their family with her arrival in December of 1969.
Throughout her life, Jane worked several jobs, spending time at Datacomp, Campbell's Soup, and the JCPenny's Corporation, but her favorite job was being a homemaker and mother to her five wonderful children. Jane showered her children with unconditional love, unmeasured patience, contagious laughter, beautiful songs, and days filled with joyful memories. Jane supported her children by encouraging their passions, comforting them through life's difficulties, and celebrating them every single day of their lives.
Jane's unending love continued as her children started families of their own. Her son Gary and his wife Linda blessed Jane with her first grandchild, Ashley Sharon, in January of 1991, nine days after her 61st birthday. Their second daughter, Alexa Gabrielle, was born in April of 1993. Diane and her husband Mark gave Jane her third granddaughter, Alyssa Marie, in April of 1996. Eileen and her husband Paul added three more grandchildren to the family with Quinn Michael in April of 2002 and twins, Brice Edward and Lily Jane, in August of 2004. Jane loved her grandchildren like her own by caring for them and providing them with years of doting love, nurturing lessons, and unbreakable, lasting bonds.
Jane was predeceased by her daughter Sharon and her husband Richard. She is survived by her children Diane (Mark), Gary (Linda), Linda, and Eileen (Paul). She leaves behind six grandchildren, Ashley, Alexa (Bill), Alyssa, Quinn, Brice, and Lily, and one great-grandchild, Mason.
Jane's personality was larger than life and her legacy cannot be put into words alone. She was the epitome of a saint and a true angel on earth. Jane's family contests which was greater: her heart or her generosity. From family to friends, and community, Jane overextended a helping hand to whoever needed it. Jane's selflessness was a lesson to all who knew her. She cared for her mother for 13 years while raising her children. She would give money from her wallet and the shirt off her back if it made someone else's day better. Jane even helped those she never met by walking miles to donate a total of 89 pints of blood to the American Red Cross throughout her life. Jane had a passion for education and made sure to provide paths of knowledge and growth to every life she touched. She volunteered for the Audubon Bon-Bons Drum and Bugle Corps and never missed a Halloween to hand out candy on her front step. She was a true woman of faith and a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Stratford, New Jersey. Jane's joy for life shined through her laughter, her dancing, and her silly personality which comprises the many fond memories her family now cherishes beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that everyone remember one generosity Jane gave them in her lifetime and pay it forward to someone else. Please honor Jane by living every day walking in her footsteps and carrying on her legacy of love, generosity, and selflessness.
A celebration of Jane's life will take place with public viewing services at Zale Funeral Home in Stratford, New Jersey on Thursday, December 29th, from 6:00-8:00 pm, and Friday, December 30th, from 9:30-10:30 am. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 am on Friday at St. Luke Church in Stratford, New Jersey.