Jane E. Ricci

Jane Elizabeth Ricci, 80, passed away on March 1, 2024 surrounded by her family. Jane was born and raised in Albany, NY to Raymond McGraw and Elizabeth McGraw (nee Salisbury). She was a loving mother, a carefree adventurer, a respected professional, and always quick with a laugh and a kind word.
One of her earliest jobs was as an insurance claims adjustor, which sparked a lifelong career in the field. In 1998, she and her husband Peter opened their own insurance business, High Peak Agency, and many of their clients throughout Greene County and New York state also became lifelong friends.
Jane was a talented home chef, famous for her pasta, meatloaf, and gravy. She taught her children to cook, and passed on many family recipes which are actually just ingredient lists. When asked how much of something in a recipe, Jane would say "oh you know" with a gesture. Jane loved to host family holidays, her mantra was "the more the merrier," and she always encouraged her children's friends to stay for dinner. Big bowls of pasta and blocks of parmesan cheese will forever remind the family of Jane.
She enjoyed her life in the Catskill mountains, surrounded by nature and often skiing and hiking with family and friends. An avid golfer, Jane competed in several leagues, swinging with her right despite being left-handed. She regularly brought home trophies and prizes. Her Mahjong friends knew her as "Janie the Joker Stealer" and in her lucky socks, she often won.
Jane was an avid traveler and never passed up the opportunity for an adventure. She swam with dolphins in the Bahamas, witnessed polar bears on an Alaskan cruise, skied in St. Moritz, and visited an active volcano in Hawaii. Her last trip in fall 2023 to Italy, Germany and the Greek islands, was a combination of her favorite things, her beloved family and seeing new places. She put her feet in the Mediterranean ocean with her son, and enjoyed delicious European dinners full of laughter with her family.
Jane's children and grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. Movie time with Mom or Nana meant all the snacks and candy the kids could eat. Even for movie time at home, Jane would pop popcorn and drench it in real butter and salt, and she never complained no matter how many times in a row the same movie was rewound and watched again.
Jane is survived by her loving husband, Peter, her children Daniel (Janine) Mitchell, Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Mitchell, Elizabeth (Joseph) Conder, and Christopher (Laura) Ricci; her six grandchildren: Alexander, Matthew, Isabella, Emery, Jarrett, and Charles; and was immensely proud to have recently become a great-grandmother to Madelyn.
Jane was truly grateful for the wonderful people of the Community Hospice Foundation who took care of her in her final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Community Hospice Foundation (givetocommunityhospice.org/donate/).
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation at Richards Funeral Home of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Inc., 29 Bross Street, Cairo, NY, 12413, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Funeral servcies will take place on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the funeral home, at 10:30 A.M.
Interment will follow in the family plot of The Round Top Cemetery, South Road,Round Top, NY, 12473.
Condolences and memories of Jane may be shared at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.