Jane Oliver Abbot Tyler

Jane Oliver

Abbot Tyler

Jane Oliver Abbot Tyler, 76, of Lexington, passed away quietly at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. She was born Feb. 1, 1933, the daughter of Elizabeth Lee and John Lewis Abbot and raised in Lynchburg. A proud graduate of the old E.C. Glass High School, Jane majored in Latin at Mary Washington College and completed additional studies in art history and philosophy. She traveled extensively throughout her life and spent two years in Indonesia as a young woman. In a varied early career, she worked in Washington, D.C., for the Central Intelligence Agency and in Norfolk for the American Red Cross. For five years, she was associated with the international relief programs of Care Inc., and while based in Nashville, headed its Tennessee-Kentucky-Arkansas regional office. In 1968, she joined The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a staff writer in its Press Bureau. Her primary responsibility was assisting media in the area of women's interest gardens, antiques, folk art, food and furnishings. Later that year, she married J. Allen Tyler, a professor of French at the College of William & Mary, and they made their home in Williamsburg for the next 20 years. Jane's last job was to head the language lab at William & Mary for a number of years. In 1988, she and her husband moved to Lexington, where both became active supporters of Lime Kiln Arts and the general cultural life of the community. Jane's particular passion was opera, which she enjoyed the world over with a discerning ear. She promoted opera in western Virginia as a generous supporter of Opera Roanoke and more recently as a founding board member of Opera on the James in her native Lynchburg. A world traveler until her husband's death two years ago, she frequently indulged her lifelong love of cooking to the delight of all who enjoyed her vast knowledge of the culinary art and countless other subjects.

She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Langhorne of Lexington and Lucy Larom of Santa Fe, Calif.; two nephews, a niece, one great-nephew and two great nieces.

A private gathering for family and friends will be held at her home later this Spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Opera on the James, 2240 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.