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BORN
1930
DIED
2025
Jane Ovitz Obituary
Born: December 28, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA
Died: December 29, 2025 in Alexandria, VA
Jane Downs Ovitz was born on December 28, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Robert Norton Downs, Jr., MD (d. 1939) and Melba Dingle Downs (d. 1980). She was preceded in death by her three older half-brothers. During the early 1950s, Jane relocated from Philadelphia to Des Moines, Iowa, and then to DeKalb County, Illinois.
Jane was a Sycamore area resident for more than 65 years. She began her professional career in DeKalb as a licensed laboratory technician, working for pathologist Dr. T. P. deGraffenreid. Her responsibilities included reporting to three area hospitals, one of which was Sycamore Municipal Hospital. There, she met her future husband, John W. Ovitz, Jr., MD. Jane and Dr. John were married in 1957 and built a life together at 427 South Main Street in Sycamore, happily residing there until Dr. John's death in 2013.
Throughout her life, Jane was deeply engaged with St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Sycamore. She was among the first women elected to the church's Vestry and served in several roles, including Warden, Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair, Search Committee member, and organizer of numerous parish celebrations and parish suppers. Her commitment to service extended beyond the church as she volunteered to deliver "Meals on Wheels" for DeKalb County. She also played active roles in the Illinois State Medical Society Auxiliary, serving as President; the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation, as Board Member and Treasurer; and the Elmwood Cemetery, as Trustee.
Jane enjoyed traveling the world, cooking, spending time with her family, and entertaining friends and family both at home in Sycamore and at the farm north of Genoa.
Jane Downs Ovitz died on December 29, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia, a day after celebrating her 95th birthday. She had moved to Alexandria in 2021. She is survived by her five children: Carol O. Hancock (Gus), Jean O. Schick, Jack W. Ovitz (Hazel), Robert "Bob" W. Ovitz, and Anne O. Ayres (David); 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great niece and great nephew.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jane Ovitz
3 Entries
Carol Morris (Hamilton)
January 12, 2026
I am so sad to hear of Mrs. Ovitz's passing. I have always wanted to see her n give her one more hug. She was like my second mother for so many wonderful years. Anne n I were best childhood friends. We would swap lives with one another, homes, parents n brothers n sisters. I was also invited to the farm house in Genoa where we had spent so much time growing up with fond memories. I want to thank everyone for so many wonderful memories n a blessed childhood. Mrs. Ovitz will be missed but not forgotten. May she rest in peace, and her loved ones find peace in her passing. Annie I miss you n cherish the times we shared. Much love n prayers coming your way.
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Mike McDermott
January 8, 2026
My condolences Jack as losing a parent is tough.
Sherret Edwards Chase
January 7, 2026
Jane gave me the courage and some wisdom to drive confidently in ice and snow conditions during the brutal northern Illinois winters. Several times with schools closed because of severe conditions, she packed her huge early 1960's stationwagon full of highschool kids, hers and my family's to drive to Majestic Hills Ski area near Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, a normal half hour drive. Mindful of getting us there safe for a day on the slopes, she was not intimidated by blizzard blown snow, drifts across the roads, ice on the pavement, visibility of white on white on white, or numbing cold. We always got there without event and enjoyed the day on the slopes. Other "in training" driving experiences with my Dad involved intentionally spinning out on the ice covered parking lot at the highschool.
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