Jane Lynn DeGroff

Jane Lynn DeGroff, age 63, died on Jan. 1, 2026, in Denver, Colorado; she was diagnosed with glioblastoma in early August 2025 and fought a brave battle to the end. Jane was born on March 5, 1962, in Bryan, Ohio, to Patricia and Richard DeGroff. Growing up in a small town in rural Ohio, Jane was fortunate to have childhood friends with whom she remained connected throughout her life. She swam on the Bryan swim team, participated as a cheerleader, played on high school sports teams and engaged in typical high school antics until her graduation from Bryan High School in 1980.

Jane attended The Ohio University, graduating in 1984. She worked in the health insurance industry until 1992, then returned to study nursing. She became a registered nurse in 2000 (Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Memphis, Tennessee). In 2009, Jane graduated with a bachelor of nursing and in 2011 with a master of nursing, both from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Her first nursing job in 2001 was with Craig Hospital, a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital in Denver specializing in care for individuals with spinal cord injury and brain injury. She became director of nursing at Craig Hospital before moving on to Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora as director of patient care services in 2014. In 2016, Jane was named associate chief nursing officer at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford in Palo Alto, California, and then chief nursing officer of Women's and Children's Services at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Sciences University, in Portland, Oregon, from 2019-2024. She returned to Children's Hospital Standford in a consulting role in September 2024 to May 2025. Throughout her career, Jane was respected for her keen and ethical leadership and was a mentor to many. One colleague called her a "light in the world of healthcare," and others spoke of her mentorship, promising to pass on the wisdom she shared.

Lewis Emanuelson and Jane DeGroff were married at the Bryan Methodist Church in 1988. They lived in Dallas, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Memphis, Tennessee, before settling south of Denver in Centennial, Colorado. Lew and Jane raised two beautiful children, Amy Louise and Benjamin Richard. Jane was smart, funny and strong-willed. She had a deep love for her family, took pride in her work and was dedicated to both. Jane embraced life and made friends wherever she lived. She was a wonderful and loyal friend and colleague to so many. Jane found humor and inspired a laugh when friends needed it the most. Her happiness and resilience touched everyone she knew.

Jane was a wonderful mother, devoted daughter, caring sister and a beloved aunt. She is survived by her children, Benjamin Emanuelson (fiancée, Caitlin Weishar) and Amy Evans (Jeffrey Evans); and her grandchildren, Presley Ann and Nora Jane. She is also survived by her mother, Patricia DeGroff; her brothers Michael DeGroff (Kathy DeGroff) and Tom DeGroff (Sue DeGroff); her twin sister, Amy DeGroff (Trista Bingham); her partner, Michael Grunden; and former spouses, Lewis Emanuelson and Bill Russell. Jane is preceded in death by her father, Richard DeGroff; and her sister, Anne DeGroff.

A celebration of life event for Jane will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, from 1-3 p.m. at Hudson Gardens and Event Center, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, Colorado, 90120. A second celebration will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in late February 2026 (arrangements pending). Condolences and messages to Jane's family may be posted at https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/GaSAAUAu

To honor Jane's life, memorial donations may be made to the Craig Hospital Foundation. Online: craighospital.org/donate By mail: Craig Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 17671, Denver, CO 80217 0671. Please note "In memory of Jane DeGroff" in the memo/reference line. EIN: 23 735 2287 (for tax purposes).