Jane Wendt

JANE WENDT "Gigi" Gary, Indiana Age 96 years young, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2005 at home with her beloved granddaughter, Debbie by her side. She was born in Canton, Ohio, on July 21, 1908. As a teenager she attended The Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She moved to Gary with her mother following the death of her father in the 1930's. She was employed at U.S. Steel and later married. After her husband was killed in an car accident, she was left to raise her 3 children as a single mother. She was a piano and organ instructor in the Gary area for many years. She was the organist at the Methodist Hospital Chapel in Gary for several of those years. She played piano accompanyment for Hyman Manalan, a well known violinist, at Sorrento Inn, a popular supper club in this area. She was also featured on the piano at the Palm Grove Dinner Club where she was affectionately known as "Baby Jane". She was a Christian Scientist and always trusted in God for her physical healing. She found great comfort and strength in her faith. She was the organist at her church in Gary and later at another in Hobart. Gigi was quite independent and managed to live alone with daily visits from family. She often reminded the family members that she was the "root". She was injured in an auto accident in 2000 while driving and Deborah, her granddaughter, assumed the role of loving and devoted caregiver during the last 5 years. She maintained an apartment in the same building and was a daily presence in her grandmother's life. Gigi was very close to her youngest great grandchild, two year old Rhema Nicole Miller. Rhema brought her a tremendous amount of joy during these last years. She was blessed with one son, Von Osman (Darlene) of Hardy, Arkansas, 2 daughters, Carol Osman of Gary and Sharon Villarruel of Lake Station. She was a loving grandmother to Kerry Lee Casey, Deborah Miller, Maureen Tacco, David Miller, Christopher Brown, Adam Villarruel, Jennifer Potter, Veronica Prescott, Tracy and Tina Osman. She was also so very proud of her 9 great grandchildren, TJ, Sunshine, Jacob, Shyan, Joshua, Rhema, Christina, Jessica and Joe. She leaves behind many friends and former students who even in recent years have recognized her in public. Often coming up to her and asking "Aren't you Mrs. Wendt? I thought I recognized you! You gave me piano lessons 45 years ago. She had a great sense of humor and people were astounded when they leaned her actual age because she certainly appeared and acted much younger. She made a lasting impression on everyone she met. She's now gone to join her beloved grandson David who passed away at the age of 15 in 1983. The family would like to express their gratitude to St. Mary's Medical Center of Hobart, Fountainview Nursing Home in Portage and to Hospice of the Calumet Area, everyone showed such love and compassion. A special thank you to Mickey and Marybelle from Hospice. We can't express through words how much your kindness meant to us. "Gigi" chose to donate herself to Indiana University Medical Center. After cremation, she will be buried in Ohio in a family plot. There will be no services which was also at her request. Till we meet again "Beloved Gigi" We will continue to love and honor your memory always....To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, please view the obituary to sign the guestbook at www.post-trib.com