Tribute

In Loving and Joyous Memory

Jane Alice Nielsen was born in Fresno, CA, USA on April 14, 1948, to Borge and Alice Nielsen, who were first and second generation immigrants from Denmark. Borge immigrated with his five siblings, creating a large base of extended family for Jane in the Fresno area. During her childhood, as part of the Lutheran community there as well, Jane had fond memories of large Sunday family gatherings in various back yards; she played tennis in her youth, grew up as an animal lover, with 18 cats in her house, and enjoyed hiking at Yosemite National Park. In 1966, she graduated Washington Union High School in Easton, going on to complete secretarial school and work as a legal secretary in her [early 20’s].

At 31, Jane had her daughter, Jude, with Jimmy Derwin Wong. Drawn by the lush, green rainforests of Vancouver Island while on vacation, Jane, Jim, Jude, and Jim’s daughter, Laura Wong-Rose, emigrated here in 1980 and became part of the early community around Waldorf education here at the time. Jane served as the first school administrator, receptionist and registrar for Sunrise Waldorf School while Jude attended and eventually completed elementary school there. Her laugh was a regular feature throughout the school while Jane was there, along with her passionate organization, administration, and communication skills that carried the school through its early years. Jane also enjoyed a career as a home care provider while Jude was in high school, and remained connected with those she served long after she no longer worked for them. She was also certified in Level II Reiki and a skilled massage therapist.

Jane played the piano, loved to sing and crochet, and was known for her sincere and loving ways in the world, her extra large sense of humour, her love of trees, nature, and beauty, and her belief in prayer, visualisation, and positive thinking. After a brief, 1 year in the Yukon with Jude, Jane found herself pulled back a second time to the lushness of the Island. In her later adult years, she worked as a court transcriptionist, enjoyed drawing, painting, and singing with the HeartSong Singers at the Duncan Seniors Society. She also became an avid fan of football, figure skating, and the Wimbledon (tennis) Championship. Jane survived two cancers in the last 2 years of her life, with two successful operations, and lived independently in downtown Duncan until her sudden passing.

Jane passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023 at the Cowichan District Hospital, of a brain bleed, likely caused by the bursting of an aneurysm. In her last two days at the hospital, she was lovingly held and accompanied by several close friends and her daughter.

Missed by many who held her dear and by her daughter, Jude, her brother, Clifford, step/adopted daughters, Laura and Jazmine, and ex-partner, Jim.

A private celebration will be held on Sunday, July 9th in Saltair. To attend, please contact Nevena Birkch at 819 616 8076 or brkichnevena@gmail. com.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the David Suzuki Foundation may be made in Jane’s honour. Trees were a life-long passion of hers and she was passionate about defending them.  You might also put on some BeeGee’s, Linda Rhonstadt, Rankin Family, or Leonid and Friends, and think of her.

You have become an ancestor, now, Jane. You are free to fly and be joyous, guide, sing, and make us laugh from the infinite Universe. Your light shines always.