Jane Puhn

1935 - 2024

Jane Roberta Puhn of Corvallis Oregon, passed away at the age of 89, on October 3rd, 2024. Jane is survived by her son Kenneth Puhn; her brothers Francis Stone, Albert Stone, and Matt Stone; and her beloved grandson Wilder LovellFord. She was preceded in death by her parents [Kathryn Eva Stone and Richard Sheldon, Sr.], brothers Richard Sheldon, Jr,. Steven Stacy, and Douglas Joel, her granddaughter Adeline LovellFord, and her ex-husband, Irving Puhn. Her younger brother Douglas passed away on American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston, Mass, on September 11, 2001.

Born and raised in Beverly, Mass., Jane was the eldest of the seven siblings. She graduated from Beverly, Mass., High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from Salem Teachers College in 1957. After graduation, she moved to Long Beach California with her first husband Henry Hodgkin, where she began her distinguished teaching career, which spanned four decades. Jane eventually returned to Massachusetts in 1975, and made Pittsfield her home for 42 years, while she continued teaching and raising her son with her husband Irving. In 2017, at the age of 82, she relocated to Corvallis, Oregon, to live with her son, daughter-in-law Rachel, and her grandson, Wilder.

Throughout her life, Jane was passionate about education. The beginning of her career was focused on reading instruction, teaching in both elementary and middle schools. Seeing the emergence of home computing in the early 1980's, Jane pursued a master's degree and went on to found the computer education program at Reid Middle School where she taught computer science until her retirement in 1999. As a lifelong learner, Jane had a busy retirement and immersed herself in the study of art history and learned new skills including painting, drawing, and calligraphy.

Jane, a lover of color and light, engaged in life through many mediums. She was a dedicated volunteer, including many years with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. She deeply appreciated nature, enjoying hiking, camping, and birding in the beautiful landscapes of New England and throughout the world. Jane was also passionate about travel, and she explored destinations throughout the world, including the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Hudson Bay, Europe, and the Middle East. One of her more daring adventures was bird watching above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. She was also a longtime supporter of the arts, serving as an usher at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts for many years until moving to Oregon. Classical music held a special place in her heart.

Jane lived a full-life and will be remembered by her family and friends for her curiosity, creativity, ambition, sense of humor, and her unparalleled expertise in Trivial Pursuit. Her life was a testament to her love of learning, her adventurous spirit, and a commitment to making the world a better place through education and service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society.