Jane Kline (Updegraff) Stewart

Jane Kline Stewart went to be with her heavenly family and Lord on October 13, 2016, in Columbia Cottage, Palmyra, PA.  

Jane was born on July 13, 1921 in Lemoyne,, PA to Norman E. and Mary O. Updegraff.  A graduate of Dauphin High School and William Penn High School, 1941. In her later years she attended Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA.

Jane was active during her years in many sports.  In Senior High she competed in track, softball, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.  She played basketball in a women’s league up into her fifties.  She organized a girls softball team in Harrisburg and coached girls basketball at Lower Paxton High School.  In later years she had an intense interest in professional sports of all kinds, including NASCAR.

She was in an adult tap class at Bette Weeks Winn, Academy of Dance in Harrisburg, PA, performing on stage at numerous theaters, clubs and parks.  She made dance costumes for the Academy including Majorette uniforms for a full marching group.

Jane was a Senior Girl Scout Leader in Linglestown for many years, a charter member of the Linglestown Women’s Club, member of the Linglestown Garden Club, The Women’s Auxiliary of the Linglestown Fire Company, and a member of the Robert F. Hoke American Legion Post 272.  She was also a member of the Mechanicsburg American Legion and the Middletown Women of the Moose.

Jane was employed by the Harrisburg Housing Authority from 1954-1974 as the manager of John A.F. Hall Manor Housing Development.  In 1974 she was named Executive Director of Capital City Late Start, Inc., a senior organization to promote programs for senior centers in Dauphin County.  During this time she opened Boas Multi Service Center for Seniors on Harrisburg.  Expanding the program, she leased the Rutherford House in Paxtang, PA and restored the historic home of the Rutherford Family to “The Rutherford House” where she opened the model Senior Citizen Center and retired from there in 1987.   She served on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness for PA. Seniors; was on the first committee for Senior Games of PA.  She was regional coordinator for the Ms. Senior America for the state of Pennsylvania.  She also served on numerous Boards of Directors in   Harrisburg, PA.

After moving to Shadowstone Village, Palmyra, PA in 1994, she saw a need for home owners to have a meeting place.  She met with the owners and she organized the Shadowstone Community Center, where  programming, socialization and other activities are offered to the homeowners. 

Her husband and she traveled on a yearly basis from East to West and North to South including Canada and Mexico, only missing two states, Washington and Oregon, due to forest fires at the time they were there.  In winters, they spent their time in Palm Bay, Florida where they had a summer home. 

Jane was a member of the Gravel Hill United Methodist Church in Palmyra.  She served as treasurer of the Ever Loyal Sunday School Class, member of the United Methodist Women and served on the Mission Board.  She also assisted with the Adult Fellowship Group.

Jane was pre-deceased by her husband, George Harvey Stewart in 1990, her son, Joel E. Facer in 2003, great-grandson Brandon Alexander Rodney in 2005.  Jane’s first husband, Joseph E. Facer, was killed in the line of duty in World War II in 1944.  She was also predeceased by her ex-husband Victor P. Bailey in 1995, her sisters: Ruth, Kathlyn, Annabelle, one brother Lee.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Cindy Jayne Teets, wife of Robert P. Teets, Palmyra; one sister, Virginia Rabena of Frey Village, Middletown; Daughter-in-law, Carol Facer of Harrisburg.

Grandchildren: Scott Facer, Jonnell Brown, Joelie Dudley, wife of Robert Dudley, and Bobby Jo Rodney, wife of David Rodney.

Great Grandchildren:  Michael Facer, Christopher Brown, Sami Brown, Alyssa Dudley, Rachel Dudley and Dawson Rodney.

Funeral services will be held in Gravel Hill United Methodist Church on Friday, October 21, 2016.  Viewing at the church from 10:00-11:00am, service at 11:00am, burial to follow in church cemetery.  Since she loved flowers, they are welcome. 

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