Jane Tolman

A life well lived, Jane Sandall Tolman. Born July 24th, 1933 in Ogden, Utah. Died May 22, 2023, just short of her 90th birthday, in Provo, Utah. She was supported and held in her transition to her heavenly family by her children. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. The quiet heartbeat of her family, and like her physical heart, to the very end strong beyond any imagination or definition. Words cannot express our sadness to be without her, or our gratitude for her and the life she lived.
You would have been unwise to underestimate Jane. She saw and understood everything. Her mind was expansive, rich and focused. She had every detail of her life, her family, tracked meticulously in her mind. She used this ability to show her love, never missing a birthday, always asking about your life and never forgetting what you told her. The world may pass you by, but if Jane loved you, you felt important.
Her wit was rapier. She wielded it like a sword, never to cut, but to inject a spark of life with a surprising thought or reply. To the end, she was razor sharp. At her last nurse visit when told they would be taking her vitals, with eyes closed and with slurred speech she held out her hand in a unique shape and she replied, "I'll give you the finger."
Adventure called her. She saved and recycled everything, washed and reused tinfoil. But, she would spend money on travel and adventure. China, Rio de Janeiro, the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, and Egypt, to name a few of the destinations. In Egypt, while hiking Mt. Sinai at the beginning of the trip, a camel stepped on her foot and broke it. She finished the entire vacation without complaint. They explored the mountains and deserts of Utah, scouring the landscape for geodes and precious stones and at night staring into the starry sky. There were trips to Disneyland with all four children in a pop-up camp trailer. On one California trip, they even claim to have had a bigfoot encounter. Her mind was full of stories and ready for more adventure.
Cultured, refined, with not only an appreciation for quality, Jane was the embodiment of it. She was educated, with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Jane loved music and the arts. She bought season tickets to the BYU drama department play series. She enjoyed listening to music, and played it throughout her day.
Jane was a woman of exceptional dedication, execution and commitment. She was an example of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in action. She loved without condition, forgave quickly, and didn't judge. As a mother, she was exemplary, selfless and caring.
She did not seek her own glory. In respect of her wishes, she has been quietly cremated and her ashes will be interred with her husband upon his death. If you have been touched by the life of Jane Tolman, we encourage you to leave a comment or story in celebration of her special place in your heart and our world.