November 18, 1938 – April 18, 2016
McDermott, Jane (Betty Jane) – Peacefully at the Juravinski Hospital, on Monday April 18th, 2016, in her 78th year. Predeceased by her parents Garfield McDermott and Innes Clayton McDermott Spence, step-father James (Jim) Spence, brother George McDermott and sister Madeline (Madge) Wilson Johnston. Jane will be sadly missed by her many loving nieces, nephews and cousins and by her large group of close friends. A high school French teacher for many years with the former Wentworth County Board of Education, Jane was also an avid artist and painter and spent many years as organist and choir leader at local Hamilton churches. Friends will be received by the family on Friday evening from 7-9 and Saturday morning from 9:30 until the Service for Jane at 10:30 at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. Interment will follow at Grove Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Jane was “the girl next door” during my high school years in Dundas where she excelled academically. It was my privilege to escort her to her Mac graduation party at the Wentworth Arms Hotel in May 1960. Over the years we exchanged cards at Christmas then lost touch for most of the last decade. When I was able to locate her with the help of old friends, we enjoyed a telephone conversation in which she informed me that she was being treated for leukemia, but assured me that it was well in check. Although she was now online, we never did get an exchange of messages. I have been caught totally off guard with her passing. To those closest and dear to her I offer my deepest sympathy.
I went through Central Public School and Dundas District High School with Jane. She was much more accademically inclined than I. At the Grimsby Pumphouse Artists open house, I was priviledged to admire her artistic talents. She will be missed at the Dundas Golden Girls get togethers.
Jane was a great teaching colleague, always a helpful mentor who was generous with assistance and ideas. She was also a good and considerate friend.
My sincere sympathy to her family.
I met Jane as a member of the Lakeside Pumphouse Artists. She was a quiet , friendly lady. My sincere sympathy for her family and friends.
Christine Green
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Jane McDermott. Jane was one of a quartet of Dundas District High School students (Jack Dyment, Gwen Mowbray, Jane, and my late brother, Douglas Sheppard) who set the bar high for academic excellence. They were models for those of us who followed. Jane will be missed by her former teaching colleagues and many friends.
My sincere condolences to her family.
Fran (Sheppard) Parkin
My mother was so very proud of her sister Jane, they corresponded faithfully all of their lives. My mother was always excited to get a letter and often read parts of it to me and my sister, Jane Ellen, Aunt Jane’s namesake. I remember mom opening a letter and taking out a small wallet size picture of Aunt Jane; it was her grad photo from University. I was about 10 and I knew right then that I wanted to go to University too (whatever that was) just like Aunt Jane. For me, she was a role model, the first to attend University in our family, receiving her BA and then MA, in Gothic Literature. I was lucky and followed in her footsteps and when she told me she loved hearing about my adventures in the north, as a Wildlife biologist, sharing our experiences in letters was firmly established and a tradition continued. Like our mother before us, correspondence between Aunt Jane, my sister, and I continued over her lifetime. I will miss her and the excitement of receiving another card or letter but as the quote says, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
I have many wonderful moments to treasure and I am with you all in spirit. If I was attending the service, I would have liked to have read the poem by Mary Frye, although it may becoming a bit of a cliché, it still expresses how I feel.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there; I did not die.”
With Love, Lizzanne
(niece)
Jane was a fellow choir member and I enjoyed her sense of humour and lovely voice. We sang Broadway music and jazz. She lived down the bottom of the hill from me but of course she moved after her mom died and she left the choir and I didn’t see her as often. The last time I saw her was on a July afternoon last summer when I had a luncheon for some of our old choir members and friends. A few glasses of wine, plenty to eat and a good time was had by all. Jane loved music and she was a lovely person.
Jane & I taught at Parkside High School for many years. In our early years at Parkside Jane & I took guitar lessons together. It was always a fun evening playing music. Jane was far more talented than me & advanced into classic guitar. The last time I spoke with Jane was at Knox Presbyterian church where she was the organist. Jane was a very generous & kind lady who shared her talents with many . I feel privileged to have known her. My deepest sympathy to her Family & close friends
I consider it such a gift to have known Jane for the past twenty years. I was able to admire her many skills and talents in her writing, her painting and her music. She could be proud and private but underneath was such a gentle and generous heart. She shared herself fully with many people. I shall treasure the moments we shared in church book studies and Manna Days at her beloved Crieff Retreat Centre which she so dearly loved. Rest in peace, Dear Friend.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of our cousin Janey. Although we have not seen her in a long time, we were able to keep in touch with Christmas cards. It was interesting to hear of her activities and achievements. Our condolences to her extended family and friends. Rest in peace.
To Jane’s family and friends:
Jane was a wonderful role model and a great friend when we taught together at Parkside.
We shared many good times together. Jane always had time to listen and offer good advice.
May Jane rest in peace.
Joan Scanlan
Jane and I taught together at Parkside, but our interest in theatre, music and writing brought us together after our retirement. Jane entertained her writing friends. We’d sit back and listen to the tales of Sadie Mae, Mini and, of course, that naughty Orion. We’d laugh at the misadventures of folks living in the fictitious Fox Falls. Jane’s writings have a Stephen Leacock appeal, and should be published. She was a very talented artist and musician. She was very generous with her talents, ready to play at weddings and other venues. I recall her elegance as she played the organ at an outdoor wedding wearing a beautiful hat and silk dress.
The Saturday morning breakfasts, the plays at the Royal Alex and Lighthouse Theatres, the luncheons at Elaine’s trailer at Dover, and in each other’s homes – all these events were special because of the camaraderie and sisterly love we had for one another. We’ll miss you, Jane. You’re in our hearts.
I am sorry to hear about the passing of my cousin Janey. I just talked to her about 3 weeks ago. I was looking forward to seeing her at the Golden Girls luncheon May 28th. My condolences to her other family and friends. I remember the time in High School she got 100 in history. RIP
It was a great privilege to be counted among Jane’s friends. She was a creative, thoughtful and wise person, and had a very sacrificial spirit when it came to helping others. She was the choir director at our church, The South Gate Presbyterian Church, at the time I retired as minister, and I appreciated her leadership. She took the music program through that always challenging time of vacancy, and in transitioning to a new minister. Since my retirement, for the past 7 years, Jane has very kindly volunteered to accompany me when I led worship at Macassa Lodge. it was a special relationship that I will cherish.
Jane was was my French department head when I first arrived a Parkside High School in 1979. She was a kind and warm individual who helped me adjust to my new environment and for that I will be eternally grateful.
Jane, you were a respected member of a dynamic teaching staff at Parkside High School in Dundas. As a teacher of French , you expected students to meet high standards. You had an interest in Students ‘ success in all aspects of high school life: the arts, the sciences, and athletics. You were always available for advice and contributed to committee work. I have fond memories of working with you as we wrote a skit that some teachers presented as part of a school assembly. Your wit and gift for turning a phrase were most evident.
Jane, it was a pleasure working with you and having you as a colleague.
Jane was a warm and caring person who I was privileged to know at Parkside.
We had great years there.
I would see Jane at the pumphouse when we would gather to paint. She was a reserved and lovely lady who I respected.
Rest in peace, Jane. Sincere condolences to her family.
I will miss Jane’s sharp wit and humour; I enjoyed the daily repartee of the Parkside staff room with her. My sympathies to her family and friends.
I moved back to Dundas two years ago and just caught up with an old teacher from Parkside who told me Miss McDermott, my beloved French teacher, had passed away. I was her student in the early 80s, and took Grade 13 French with her, which became my best subject. Ever. In all my Grade 13 courses. She was so lively and inspiring and stylish in so many ways, and inspired me deeply as a cultured and independent woman. I later grew up to win a Supreme Court human rights case and spoke French fluently at Parliament twice – endearing me to the French MPs and helping our case considerably. Rest In Peace, Miss McDermott, you were such a lovely and intelligent soul. My deepest condolences to her friends and family.