Jane Sladen

1934 - 2021

PAWTUCKET - Jane (Rowse) Sladen, 86, of Brookdale Assisted Living in Attleboro, formerly of Anawan Road and Saratoga Avenue, Pawtucket, passed peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, February 20th, 2021. She fought a brief, but valiant fight with cancer with her family beside her every step of the way. Her granddaughter, Liz, led the way to ensure she received the best care. During her illness, Jane comforted family with many memories of her good, beautiful life and her acceptance of whatever came next.

Jane was born on June 19, 1934 in Pawtucket, the daughter of the late Franklin J. and Anna (Capron) Rowse. She married the love of her life, Thomas "Leo" Sladen, Jr. on December 10, 1953. They eloped in Oahu, Hawaii during Leo's service in the Korean War. Jane affectionately joked that she trapped her fiancé on an island after she flew to Hawaii to be with him.

Besides her husband of sixty-seven years, she is survived by her devoted sons, Thomas L. Sladen, III and his wife Barbara of Seekonk, Paul Sladen and his wife Catherine of East Providence, Michael Sladen of Pawtucket and son-in-law Claus Baier of Warwick. She was the mother of the late Deborah "Debbie" Baier. She is also survived by Osvald "Ozzie" Barros, who she and Leo affectionately called their fourth son. Jane was the proud nana of John Baier and his fiancée Christina Barlow, Robert Sladen and his wife Daniella, Erin Thibeault and her husband Jake, Elizabeth Dubuc and her husband Jeffrey, and Stephen and Ryan Sladen. Jane loved every minute of being a great-nana to her adoring great-grandchildren, Noah and Penelope Sladen, Benjamin and Emma Dubuc and Jack Thibeault. She was the loving sister of the late Bessie Bruce, Ann Allen, R. William, Franklin, Donald and Clifford Rowse. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Richard Sladen and his wife, Debbie, and many nieces, nephews and her life-long friends, Donna Ricci and Joan Richardson and her husband David Richardson.

Jane loved spending time with family at the summer home her parents built in Dennis Port, Cape Cod. She had a sweet tooth and enjoyed drinking a good C&C, made best by her Leo. She had an open door policy for family and friends and over the years was known to take any person or animal into her home for as long as they needed a home.

Jane was an amazing matriarch who loved entertaining and gathering her loved ones for Sunday dinners at her home and often said that her greatest accomplishment was her family. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family are who they are because of her extraordinary kindness, generosity and acceptance. She had a very special relationship with each one and they will continue to do good because of her example. She often said, "As parents, it's not our job to change our children, it's our job to love them as they are". Her loss is immeasurable but so is the love she leaves behind.

Services will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Memorial Baptist Church, 340 Central Ave., Seekonk. Interment in the family lot at Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket, will be private. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, visitation is respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, Jane requested that memorial gifts be considered to help the children at Boston's Children's Hospital. Contributions can be made by mail payable to Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301. Please include Jane's name in the memo line and designation 7S Child Life Program. Funeral arrangements are entrusted with WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket.

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