Jane Hall

Jane James-Hall, 78, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, in Camden, New Jersey, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on March 4, 1947, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Marion and Clarence "Ruffy" James, Jane lived a life marked by devotion, resilience, and quiet strength-especially as a mother and as the devoted wife of her husband of 57 years, Captain Richard B. Hall II, MD, USN (Ret.), who preceded her in death earlier the same year on June 2, 2025. She was also predeceased by her parents and her sister, Jennifer.

Jane's life was beautifully intertwined with her partnership with the U.S. Navy. She met her husband, RB, while he was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, and the two married immediately following his graduation. During his early deployments at sea during the Vietnam War, Jane faithfully awaited his return, beginning a lifelong journey of love, devotion, and service alongside him. She met the challenges of military life with grace-moving with her family to bases around the world and creating a loving home wherever they were stationed. A devoted homemaker and gracious hostess, Jane truly embodied the spirit of a Navy wife and set an inspiring example for many.

Jane was renowned for her elegant entertaining, keen sense of international etiquette, and her ability to make every guest feel valued and warmly welcomed. Her home-perfectly appointed yet always full of laughter and warmth-was a gathering place for vibrant conversation and cultural exchange. Having studied French at Georgetown University, Jane developed a lifelong love of languages and cultures. Her fluency in several languages and deep respect for global traditions made her the perfect complement to Captain Hall, often enlisting the help of their daughters in supporting his distinguished career.

Jane's Navy journey spanned the globe, with duty stations in Charleston, South Carolina; Patuxent River, Maryland; Naples, Italy; Athens, Greece; Newport, Rhode Island; Norfolk, Virginia; Sicily, Italy; Groton, Connecticut; Gaeta, Italy; Stuttgart, Germany; and, finally, a return to Norfolk, Virginia.

Beyond her role as a military spouse, Jane was a gifted and passionate watercolorist. Having studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art, she built a successful career as an artist-completing home portrait commissions, exhibiting original works and prints in galleries, and even being commissioned by the State of Rhode Island to paint murals for the Providence Zoo. Among her most beloved and collected works are her paintings of Venice, Italy-a city she cherished deeply, and where she and RB spent treasured years together following his retirement.

Jane is survived by her three children, Jessica (David), Amanda (Piers), and Alexandra (Jason); her sister, Chrissy (Ken); and her five grandchildren, Abigail, Oscar, Julia, Griffin, and Vivian.

Jane James-Hall was laid to rest in a joint service with her husband, Captain Hall, who received full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on October 24, 2025 (Section 57, Grave 2102).

For those unable to attend, a recording of the service is available at https://my.anc.media/4nu4NrJ.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sierra Club, Friends of the Southern Poverty Law Center, or the ACLU. To plant trees in Jane's memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.