Jane A. Campbell, 71

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  Jane Alison Campbell (71) was born in New York, NY. Her family moved to Connecticut for the balance of her childhood, residing in Hartford, Kensington, Litchfield, West Hartford, and Bolton. Jane graduated from Bolton High School in 1971. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan University and in 1975 graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University, with a major in education. In 1976, she was married at the Bolton United Methodist Church, with her father, The Rev. David M. Campbell, officiating. She moved to the San Diego suburb of Encinitas, where she resided for over 30 years, helping to raise her stepchildren and pursuing her teaching career. She earned a Master’s in Education in 1978. Jane loved teaching at the elementary level, spending countless hours developing units of instruction. A particular love was the study of China and the teaching unit she developed was shared around San Diego County, through her work as an adjunct professor at San Diego State University, where she earned her second degree.

Jane was a giving, caring person and a lifelong friend and mentor to her stepchildren. She was known as Grandma Jane to her six step grandchildren. She loved to do “family art” with all the grandkids. She was also a doting aunt to her one-and-only “favorite” nephew, Geoffrey. Throughout her adult life, Jane struggled with mental health and substance use disorders. She proudly achieved sobriety in 2001. She later developed frontotemporal disease, a comparatively rare form of dementia often affecting individuals in their early 40’s-60’s. Despite these challenges, Jane treated all she knew with dignity, respect, love and understanding, as she wanted to be treated.

In 2008, Jane moved to North Adams, MA to live near her sister. She volunteered at the Visitor’s Center and for the Downstreet Art gallery initiative. She was a frequent visitor to the North Adams Public Library and the many shops she loved to visit in Pittsfield.

Jane is survived by her sister and spouse, Lois and Michael Daunis of North Adams, MA; stepchildren Tonina Brandenburg of Sioux Falls, SD and Tyler Brandenburg of Encinitas, CA. She is also survived by her step grandchildren: Ketina, Gloria, Trinity, Kyle, Jael and Sydney, and her stepmother, Helen Campbell of Vernon, CT. The family is grateful to the sisters of Michael Daunis, Barbara Wirtes and Karen Daunis, for their visits and friendship to Jane. Jane was predeceased by her parents, The Rev. David Campbell and Norma Campbell-Hickey, her stepfather, Thomas Hickey and her “favorite nephew” and godson, Geoffrey D. Pawlowski.

Calling hours will be at the Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Home, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA on Wednesday November 6, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12;00 PM. A private service for the family will follow. Jane’s ashes will be lovingly dispersed by family members throughout the United States, reflecting the many places she lived and loved. Donations in honor of Jane’s life can be made to Louison House, P. O. Box 773, North Adams, MA 01247 in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com