Jane L. Andersen, 79

Jane L. Andersen, age 79, passed away on Oct. 4, 2017, in her home in Skaneateles after a year battling cancer. Her loving life partner of three decades, Joe Gresser, was at her side. Jane was born on Oct. 20, 1937, in Rochester, N.Y. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1955 and then Syracuse University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. She also earned a master’s degree in education from The College at Brockport, State University of New York. Jane spent her entire career teaching in elementary schools in New Jersey and New York, and later taught math to middle and upper school students. For several years she also taught evening classes at the Auburn Correctional Facility, preparing inmates for better lives after prison. Her last 15 years of teaching were at DeRuyter Central School in DeRuyter, N.Y. Her contributions to her students went far beyond mathematics. She encouraged them to be committed students, go onto college and aspire to fulfill their dreams. Because she was a strong, independent feminist, she was a role model to many middle school girls, many of whom stayed in contact with her for years. Several years after retirement in 2005, she returned to DeRuyter to receive a special honor for her dedication to teaching.
Jane was politically astute and used her math and science intellect to better understand and take action against climate change and fracking. She was a proud feminist, who believed in reproductive justice, higher education and equal pay for women, and the right of a woman to choose when to start a family. She was a staunch believer in equal rights and civil liberties and is remembered by family and friends for her activism, advocacy and participation in many marches and protests.
Jane loved the outdoors, especially insects and wildflowers. Throughout her entire life it was very important for her to stay fit and she was drawn mostly to running. In her later years she even bought a bicycle so that she could improve her balance! She was also a regular skier at Song Mountain, even at age 78. You could often see Jane working in her lovely yard, weeding, mowing the lawn, or snow blowing. She successfully tackled any mechanical challenge and loved to learn new things – including how to fix her tractor and snow blower. Jane was accurately described by her grandnieces as “strong, fun and open-minded.”
Jane and her beloved life partner Joe spent time in Skaneateles and Boston, but also loved visiting one of their favorite places, the beautiful outdoors of Henniker, NH. Joe and Jane found true love together and Joe was a devoted partner and caretaker.
Jane is also survived by her son, Scot Andersen, his wife Corrin, and their children Maxine (age 8) and Kai (age 5) of Avon, CT. Sadly, Jane’s other son, Marc Andersen, died in 2001. Jane raised her two boys in New Hope, PA, a borough in Bucks County along the Delaware River. Her friend and ex-husband, Benny Andersen, originally from Denmark, lives in Doylestown, PA. She maintained many friendships in Denmark over the years.
Jane is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lynda and Ray Skaddan from Philadelphia, PA (Jane and Lynda’s mother, Francis Telford Comstock, known as “Nana,” died at age 87 in 1991); nephew Dana Skaddan, his wife Sue, and their children, Ray and Brandy from Fairfax Station, VA; niece Leza Perkins, her husband Tom, and their children, Chase and Devon from Jenkintown, PA; niece Holly Skaddan and her children, Ryan and Michael from Doylestown, PA; niece Tracy Skaddan and her children, Lily and Lucy from San Diego, CA; cousin Robert Hovey, his wife Wendy, and their children Jonathan and Adrienne from Horseheads, NY; and cousin Zoe Levitsky and her husband John Clark of Comox BC.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate and honor Jane at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4 at her home in Skaneateles. Jane’s family would like to thank Hospice of the Finger Lakes for their kindness and care. If you would like to make a donation in her memory to a charity she supported, please contact The National Organization for Women at now.org, National Public Radio at npr.org or a Planned Parenthood affiliate near you.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.