Obituary of Jane B. Schwab, 71

Jane B. Schwab, age 71, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. Born on October 12, 1937, she was the daughter of W. Max and Edythe Hoy Bossert.

Jane was a 1955 graduate of the Mill Hall High School. She attended Lock Haven University where she was a cheerleader, Pi Kappa Sigma sorority member, and served on the Pan-Hellenic Council. She then transferred to and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing in 1960 where her many activities included being a member of the- Pi Kappa Sigma sorority. While attending Pitt, she met Frank J. Schwab formerly of Patton, PA. In 1961, she and Frank were married.

In the late 1960s Jane served as the executive director of Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania before moving to Schenectady, NY with her husband and family. In 1977, after moving back to Centre County, she and Frank purchased an 1825 farmhouse in Ferguson Township. In 1993, after many years of faithful restoration, they were recognized with an "Excellence in Historic Preservation" award by the Centre County Historical Society Board of Governors for their rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of a once vacant and deteriorated property.

From 1982 – 1992, Jane served as the Administrative Assistant for Fund Development, the Director of the Adult Locational Program, and the public relations liaison for the Association of Retarded Children (ARC) of Centre County. During her tenure, she established the Secretary's Day flower sale and the ice cream social – two fund raising events that continue to be held annually. Following her retirement in 1992, Frank and Jane opened their home to guests as the Down Country Lane Bed and Breakfast, closing operations in 2000.

Having been raised with the understanding that everyone should give of their talents to their family, church and community, Jane was also actively involved in volunteer efforts serving with the Linus Project, the Pine Grove Mills Streetscape Project, the Center County Women's Resource Center, where she served as a member on the Board of Directors, and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Throughout the years, Jane was recognized with many awards for her outstanding contributions to the organizations that she served. Included in these are the ARC of Center County's Dedicated Service award, the Center County Council of Human Services award as Co-founder of the Committee on Disabilities, Citizen of the Month by radio station WRSC, and the Award of Excellence in Historic Preservation by Center County Historical Society. Jane attended the Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed gardening, Penn State football, politics, puzzles, spending time with her grandchildren, chocolate cake, her house chalked full of her many antiques, and managing her husband Frank.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. Schwab (2006). Surviving are three children and four grandchildren: Bradley J. Schwab, his wife Vicki and daughter Jazmin of Pleasant Hill, CA; Susan S. Matsui, her husband Masaya Matsui and their children, Max, Miya and Mei of Ferguson Township; and Kelle E. Schwab of Cleveland, OH. Surviving in addition to her children and grandchildren are two brothers: Thomas H. Bossert and his wife Kay, and W. Max Bossert, Jr.; and one sister, Susan B. Hannegan and her husband Bob; plus numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, William M. Bossert, and a sister, Bethany Ann Bossert.

Friends will be received from 6-8pm Monday, August 3rd 2009 at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College and from 10-11am on Tuesday August 4th at the Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church, 150 West Pine Grove Road. Funeral services will be held at 11am, August 4th 2009 at the Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church by Reverend Carl Campbell officiating and Monsignor Philip Saylor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center County Community Foundation or ARC of Center County.