Jane Ripley

With a quick wit, infectious smile, and a servant’s heart, Jane Ripley lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Jane embodied the principles of her faith, embracing each day as a gift and generously supporting those she loved. Humble and kind, she was also known for being quite fiery and never allowing her bright spirit to be defeated by her losses. With unwavering faith, hope, and love, Jane showed all who were blessed to know her how to live a full and wholehearted life. A devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Jane was cherished by many and will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1937 held much to celebrate, including the continued decrease in unemployment. As the Golden Gate Bridge opening gave Americans great pride, Walt Disney premiered "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," and J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel “The Hobbit” was published. When the first blood bank opened, it revolutionized medicine and helped advance modern surgery, as doctors no longer needed donors to be present at the time of transfusion. Nowhere was there more to celebrate than in the home of Robert and Irene (Shafer) Rowley as they welcomed their daughter Jane on May 12 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Jane grew up on Kalamazoo Avenue. As the only daughter in a family of five, Jane’s childhood and teen years were filled with many responsibilities and expectations to serve her family. From a young age, she was expected to be her mother’s helper and a second mother to her siblings. She helped her mother wash clothes, make food, and wisely use the twenty dollars her father gave her for groceries every week. At a young age, she began working outside the home to help support the family; she cleaned the grotto at St. Augustine’s, which was often filled to the brim, and babysat.

Jane always possessed a generous heart. She often bought gifts for her siblings. She loved her record player, happily playing records and songs for all her siblings and mother. She loved Ricky Nelson, Johnny Ray, Nat King Cole, Booker T and the MG’s and Frank Sinatra. A faithful Catholic, Jane attended St. Augustine school from elementary to high school graduation and never missed Mass, even daily masses. Jane’s first job was as an IBM keypunch operator at Rude, and her first car was a pea-green 46 Plymouth. She bought her brother Bob his first car, a 1946 Ford, for which she paid $107.

Jane graduated high school in 1955 and married Robert Ripley in 1959. The couple was blessed with six children, who were the center of Jane’s world. And though she would proclaim that money was tight, she never failed to provide for her family. She devoted herself to their care and a good education. A master at making things happen, even when they were difficult, she did whatever she needed to support her kids, including affording them the opportunity to attend parochial school at St. Augustine Elementary and Msgr. John R. Hackett Catholic High School. Jane volunteered at Saint Augustine’s, wearing many hats as a playground supervisor, and worked with Bob for many years on Hackett’s Cabaret Shows.

Though she faced many trials in her life, including the loss of three of her children, Jane never lost her faith or questioned God. She led with her heart in all things and was always willing to lend a hand supporting her loved ones. One thing about Jane that was always true; her kids and grandkids were her life. Jane was delighted to be a grandmother and spoiled her grandchildren with candy their parents didn’t allow, teaching them how to sew and showering them with gifts and money. She always bought their Halloween costumes, no matter how expensive, and often took plane rides by herself to visit those living in other states.

Extremely hardworking, Jane always had multiple jobs, including years at Tot-to-Teen, Farmers Insurance, and serving as operations manager of Washington Square Cooperative Services, where she managed properties in Kalamazoo and Romulus, Michigan. In retirement, she enjoyed more time with loved ones. She was the ultimate babysitter and dedicated her every breath and dollar to attending plays and recitals. Jane’s Thanksgiving stuffing, pineapple upside-down cake, Christmas bread, and Jameson Irish Whiskey-soaked meats were the stuff of legend.

As we celebrate Jane’s beautiful life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in knowing Jane’s legacy of love, generosity, and strength will live on forever. In each moment we confidently face life’s challenges, foster our faith, choose grace and gratitude for our blessings, generously give of ourselves to others, and cheer on our loved ones’ endeavors we keep Jane’s memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us, all the while keeping her sharp and sarcastic wit.

Jane Ripley, age 87, died on November 19, 2024. In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by brothers Patrick and Jack Rowley, ex-husband Robert Ripley, sons Terry and David Ripley, daughter Molly Ripley, and sister-in-law Melody Rowley. Surviving are her children: Thomas Ripley (Keri Pritchard) of Delton, Amy Herman (Fred) of Waterloo, SC, and Elizabeth Gesmundo (Jack) of Richland; grandchildren: Irene Lyell (Ross) of Marietta, GA, Lauren Ripley (Brad Ellisten) of Royal Oak, Mallory Graydon (Bryson) of Laurens, SC, Emily Ripley (Manuel) of Wayland, Lucas Herman (Megan) of Waterloo, SC, Jim Ripley of Grand Rapids, Joseph Gesmundo of Bozeman, MT, and Evelyn Gesmundo of Richland; brothers: Robert Rowley (Kay) of Kalamazoo, Tim Rowley of Dallas, TX, and Mike Rowley of Chicago, IL; great-grandchildren: Charlotte Graydon, Lydia Elliston and Ross Lyell Jr. along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Jane's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Directors Hall (Hawthorn Landing) and Centrica Hospice Care, who lovingly cared for her and became her closest friends.

The family will receive friends at Betzler Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, on Friday, December 13 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. A Catholic Mass in honor of Jane will be held on Saturday, December 14 at 11:00 am at St. Augustine Cathedral. Celebrate Jane’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Centrica Care Navigators or Kairos Dwelling.