Jane Louise Stensland

Jane Louise Stensland (née Rooney), born Aug. 6, 1955, in Seattle, Wash., passed away on Aug. 21, 2025, at 5:17 p.m. EDT, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 70 years old.

Raised in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Jane's childhood included many road trips-from Palm Springs in the winter to Flathead Lake in the summer. She graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1973, where she loved playing the violin in the All-City Orchestra and having a deep connection with every classmate. She attended the University of Washington and belonged to the Alpha Omega Pi sorority. Jane paused her college education for several decades, but she never gave up her goal to graduate.

Jane met her soulmate, James "Jim" Stensland, in December 1976. True to her straightforward nature, Jane insisted Jim propose to her the following summer. They wed on Dec. 30, 1977. Their partnership lasted a lifetime, built on humor, candor and countless shared adventures. The couple met through boating and were members of the Wave Toppers Yacht Club. They enjoyed several trips through the San Juan Islands and British Columbia before starting their family.

Jane and Jim raised their four children-Jeffrey, Sarah, Erik and Martha-in Jim's hometown of Redmond. Jane leaned into her passion to fulfill the dreams of others by building a remarkable career in residential real estate. Always a one-woman team, Jane built a strong reputation as the go-to agent for the Redmond-area neighborhoods of Hunters Glen, Westchester and Gun Shy Ridge. She sold almost 70% of the homes in Gun Shy Ridge at least once-several twice. Jane was a licensed real estate agent at MacPherson Real Estate Group, Windermere Real Estate, RE/MAX NorthWest Realty, Keller Williams and R.S.V.P. Realty.

As her children left home, Jane returned to school to pursue a degree in nursing. She attended Northwest University, Bellevue College and South Seattle College. She served as a Nurse Technician at EvergreenHealth Medical Center Kirkland and Patient Care Technician at the University of Washington Medical Center. She later served as Licensed Practical Nurse at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Madison House Assisted Living Community and Peters Creek Retirement Community.

Jane's adventures stretched far beyond her work. She loved snorkeling in Maui, boating through the San Juan Islands, kayaking and floating at Waitts Lake, and traveling the world with her children. She made memories in Hong Kong and China with Jeffrey and Sarah, explored Washington, DC, and New York City with Erik, and served as a medical missionary with Martha in India.

In Jan. 2022, Jane and Jim moved to Chesapeake, Va., settling just five doors down from Martha and her family. Jane delighted in her "three little pigs" brick house. She enjoyed watching hummingbirds and cardinals visit every morning, and her roses and crepe myrtle trees bloom and attract bees and butterflies. The ocean-loving Jane would hop in her convertible and head a few minutes down the road to her favorite place to unwind: the beach. You'd also find her reading a good book or playing her harp.

Jane is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Martha Rooney (née Langberg) and John "Jack" Rooney, and stepbrother Gary Rooney. She is survived by her husband, James "Jim" Stensland; her children, Jeffrey (J'Rome "Jay" Brown) Stensland, Sarah Osei, Erik (Brenda) Stensland, and Martha (Brent) Bullock; her six grandchildren, Jamilah, Benjamin, Malakai, James, Ruth, and Mary; her brother James Rooney of Sequim; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, dear friends and colleagues whose lives were enriched by knowing her.

A hybrid memorial service will be held at River Oak Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at 1 p.m. EDT, with livestreaming at stenslandstrategies.com/ obituary for those unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center or a breast cancer foundation of your choice.

Jane's legacy is one of determination, love and joy. Her memory will live on in her children, her grandchildren and the countless lives she touched.