Dr. Jane Fletcher

FLETCHER, DR., JANE COTTON November 9, 1911 to April 16, 2006 Dr. Jane Fletcher passed away on Easter Sunday after a brief illness. She was 94. An accomplished artist and educator, deeply involved in her community, Dr. Fletcher was a passionate " free thinker" who expressed herself through painting and coaching others to develop their artistic skills. Dr. Fletcher won several art competitions and exhibited her work in 13 one-woman shows and over one hundred national and international juried and invitational exhibitions, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Centre Internationale de Paris, France. She co-founded the Junior Art League at the Fine Arts Gallery, served as a Gallery Guide and as President of the Artists Guild, and taught art classes intermittently through Adult Education and Peninsula Shepherd Center until well into her 80's. Jane was born in San Diego, the daughter of Oscar W. and Violet Cotton. She attended UCLA and San Diego State where she graduated with a BA in art and mathematics. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Olivenhain, and in San Diego. In 1936 she married Willis H. " Wig" Fletcher. They raised three daughters and enjoyed 64 years of marriage until Wig passed away in 2000. She loved the mountains and desert, especially Cuyamaca and Borrego, and many happy times were spent there painting, horseback riding and being with her family. As her family was growing, Jane renewed her interest in art and began painting and studying with well-known local artists, holding watercolor shows and later teaching watercolor. She also found time to be president of the San Diego Junior League and the Mental Health Association. She painted watercolors, oils and acrylics. In later years Dr. Fletcher resumed her education, earned a MA in art therapy, and passed a state board examination to become a licensed marriage, family and child counselor. She went on to earn a doctorate in transformational psychology at Sierra University, at age 77. Her dissertation was entitled, " Exploration of the Spiritual in the Visual Arts." Dr. Fletcher practiced as an art therapist and psychotherapist at the Growth Art Workshop led by Alex Vilumson in Los Angeles. Jane is survived by daughters: Susan Randerson, Mary Harker and Diane Fletcher-Hoppe; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandsons. Jane was beloved and admired by her students, her colleagues, and her family. Her independent spirit and relentlessly searching intellect have been an inspiration to us all. We will miss her very much. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 12, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Point Loma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church at 3598 Talbot St., San Diego, CA 92106; Peninsula Shepherd Center, 3740 Sports Arena Blvd., No. 2, San Diego, CA 92110, or the San Diego Museum of Art, P.O. Box 2107, San Diego, CA 92112-2107. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com