Carolyn Jane Wend

WEND, Jane Oren Carolyn Kalamazoo, MI Passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2006 following a long illness. Jane was born on July 15, 1919 in Evart, MI, the daughter of the late Robert and Anna Conway Oren. Jane graduated from Western Michigan University and taught in Greenville, MI before joining the Navy as a Wave in World War II. She enrolled at the University of Michigan upon discharge from the service and there met the love of her life, Jared Scudder Wend who proceeded her in death in April of 2003. Jane and Jerry became engaged on May 15, 1947 while canoeing on the Huron River. They were married on January 1, 1948 and celebrated 55 years of marriage. Jane received a Masters degree from the University of Michigan and taught in various capacities before and while raising her family. She returned to Kalamazoo in 1956 when Jerry joined the faculty of Western Michigan University. Jane was a long-time member of the First and North Presbyterian Churches and was active in the lives of those congregations. Additionally, she was a strong advocate for social justice and was active in civil rights, peace, environmental, and other community efforts. For 12 years prior to her retirement, Jane worked for the Region 12 SAPE program and the Calhoun Intermediate School District. A high point of her work with SAPE was the development of a Family Communications curriculum which was utilized in the region for more than 20 years. Jane loved the out-of-doors and enjoyed camping, hiking, and canoeing. Lake Michigan breakfast picnics, blueberry picking, bird and wild flower hikes, and fresh homemade applesauce were shared freely with friends and family. She was a warm and caring friend who continued to share her love of people through her long battle with dementia. Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jared on April 3, 2003; a son, Robert Oren Wend; an infant daughter, Katherine; and 2 brothers, Robert and Horace Oren as well as two sisters-in-law, Ruth and Lois. She is survived by 4 children, Anne Alexander Lipsey of Kalamazoo, James Kathleen Lake Wend of Milwaukee, WI, Elizabeth William Fitzgerald of Kalamazoo, and Jean Thomas Weeks Wend of Ann Arbor; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, William Helen Oren of Kokomo, IN, Ventry Conway Oren of Jackson, MI, sister-in-law Ellen Oren of Grand Rapids, MI; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special thanks is extended to Linda Hunter and Gwen Lewis who provided Jane with special care during the last year of her life as well as Tammy, Beatrice, and all of the Amber Way family. A memorial service will be held 11 o?clock Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St. There will be no visitation. Private burial will take place in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. The family asks that memorial contributions be directed Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, 913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 or the Life Enrichment Fund at Amber Way, 300 Golden Drive, Kalamazoo, MI. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. 269-343-1508.