Obituary of Jane C. Stone

JANE C. STONE, 53, of POINT PLEASANT BEACH, died peacefully on Sunday, June 21st, surrounded by her family after battling cancer of the appendix for more than a year. Jane left behind, with great sadness, her two lovely teenage daughters, Emily and KatiLin Stone, her co-parent Linda Searles Stone and her partner, all of Pt. Pleasant Beach. She is also survived by her dear mother Barbara June Stone and her sisters Nancy Stone, both of Toms River Susan Racko and her husband Jim of Bayville. In addition, Jane is survived by her nephews Chip and his wife Marissa Gunderson, David Gunderson and John Stone , and her father, Jack Stone of Florida, as well as her two cats, Harriet and Daisy. She is also survived by her lifelong friends, Sylvia (Palombo) Frances and Marie Lucier-Woodruff. She was predeceased by her brother John who died in 1977. Jane was born in 1955 in Pt. Pleasant, grew up in Toms River, and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1973 where she was an exchange student to Sweden during her junior year. Jane graduated from Rutgers University with both a Bachelor and Master degree. Jane always said that she had lived a full life with few regrets. In addition to Sweden, her travels took her to live in San Francisco and London, and many places in New Jersey. She finally settled in Pt. Pleasant Beach where her grandparents and cousins had lived during her childhood and where she raised her children. Jane's professional career began when she worked in the first office for the Ocean County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. Based on that experience, Jane took the position of Statewide Coordinator for the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division on Women's Displaced Homemaker Project. From there she became the first female Executive Director of the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council, which led to a position of Field Lobbyist for the National Association of Manufacturers, covering twelve states in the eastern region. Jane was drawn home from a career as a lobbyist to begin her 25+ years in health care as a community health administrator with positions at Kimball Medical Center, Medical Center of Ocean County and Meridian Health System. Her final position was as Executive Director of the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. She was proud of the team she had surrounded herself with, of their dedication to the mission of the agency and for their love and support during her illness. She felt indebted to the Executive Committee and Board of that organization for their special assistance and support when she became ill. Jane was a member of St. Mary's by the Sea Episcopal Church where she served on the Vestry and taught Sunday School. She thoroughly enjoyed and was amazed by the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) kids who invited her into their teenage lives and allowed her to enjoy many youth group adventures, including climbing a small part of the Rocky Mountains after her surgery. They also supported her in many special ways during her illness, with much love and caring. Jane believed that faith without works was useless, but especially focused on the works part, hoping that the faith would be found there and in the loving community of St. Mary's. She was amazed and grateful as that community, friends and families rallied around her during her illness, bringing a regular stream of food, flowers, cards, car rides and shopping, and overnight stays during her 3 plus weeks in the hospital in Washington, DC . But most important, they brought her hope and laughter. Her other community during her 20+ years of sobriety was the Friends of Bill W. They provided her with spiritual support and a way of living that changed her life and prepared her for its ups and downs. They walked with her through the sadness and pain of her illness, helping her to find the joy in it and gratitude for everyday life, so she could live with cancer instead of dying from it. Jane's viewing will be held at the Pable-Evertz Funeral Home, 901 Beaver Dam Road Point Pleasant Borough, on Wednesday, June 24th from 1 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm. Cremation will be private. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Mary's by the Sea, Bay and Atlantic Avenues, Point Pleasant Beach, on the following day, at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 25th, with a reception immediately following at Point Pleasant Beach Fire Co. #1. All are welcome, especially to share funny stories and laughter. Jane has asked that contributions be made in lieu of flowers to St. Mary's by the Sea, for their J2A and youth programs or to the Cancer Concern Center, Point Pleasant Beach.