Jane F. Birch

Mother, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, companion and champion. We are broken hearted that you are gone and miss you terribly.
Jane Fowler Birch, a resident of Johnson Mill Road, died Monday at her home.
Jane was born in Durham and was a graduate of Northern High School and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her bachelor’s degree from UNC was in Early Childhood Education and she taught for over 30 years at Merrick-Moore Elementary School. She was a member of North Carolina Association of Educators and held a North Carolina Real Estate License.
Jane Birch was the kind of teacher and friend that we all wanted, and that most of us needed. It is no surprise, to those who knew her, that she was voted “Teacher of the Year” by her peers on multiple occasions. It was also no surprise that her peers nominated her virtually every year. Jane was loved by all those she touched. But, more importantly, she showered love on her students, fellow teachers, friends and family. Jane relaxed in her garden, producing beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables that she always shared. The outdoors was her sanctuary where she could meditate and find serenity.
Jane was the hub of an extended social network. It was always Jane that kept everyone informed of the comings and goings of those that were active in the social circle, and those that became less active and even lost over time. It was common for Jane to call, or drop by to lift our spirits and provide the latest news of who was coming and who was going, and where they all were headed.
Surviving are two sons, Jonathan Edwards Birch of Durham, and Michael Paul Birch of Greensboro; her mother, Mrs. Roxie Suit Lincoln of Durham; and her brother, Dr. Douglas Fowler and wife, Pam of Wilmington.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Howerton & Bryan Funeral chapel, Rev. Mark D. Stephens and Rev. Patrice Cheasty-Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Creedmoor City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home Thursday from 6:00 to 8 p.m.
Flowers are acceptable, or memorials may be made to a favorite charity.
It is hard for us to now accept that Jane’s comings and going’s are now in another world. She will be missed in this world by her sons, mother, brother, friends, and her faithful companion, Molly. Jane was a true champion of the human race, a master friend, devoted mother, caring sister, and loving daughter. We all miss Jane, and are reminded of our loss by the ache in our hearts.
Online condolences may be submitted to www.howertonbryan.com, select obituaries.