Jane Beardsley Lemeland

January 2, 1938 - December 5, 2024

Jane, age 86, of Concord, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters. She was born in Los Angeles. Janie was the cherished daughter of Charles and Marian Gower Beardsley. She grew up in southern California, attending South Pasadena High and Stanford University for two years. She later moved to the east coast finishing college at Barnard University in New York.

It was in New York that she met the love of her life, Charles Lemeland of Normandy and Paris. Charles and Jane met during Jane's senior year at the Columbia Foreign Students' Club when Charles was a graduate student at Columbia. Jane was studying French and after graduation from Barnard, she completed a Masters in French in Paris under Middlebury's auspices. Jane and Charles were married in 1961 in San Marino, Jane's hometown. They lived in Aurora, New York; Brookline, Massachusetts; Cohasset, Massachusetts; and then settled in Concord, New Hampshire for 47 years, living at St Paul's School, where Charles taught French for 24 years and where they formed many lasting friendships.

Jane was the sweetest and most caring person. She radiated happiness to all around her and everyone who met her loved her. When Jane was in memory care, all were drawn to her, including other residents and staff. She always greeted them or thanked them with a smile. Although her short-term memory was diminished, she maintained her wonderful personality and sweetness, never complaining or raising her voice.

Jane was an incredible mother, wife, and grandmother. Her family was her ultimate pride and joy whom she devoted herself to, with her kind words, attentiveness, interested ear, and her wonderful cooking. One of her greatest joys was being with her grandchildren. Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. She made the world a better place. She leaves behind her daughter, Laure Lemeland (Peter) Nawrocki, of Needham, Massachusetts and her daughter, Lise Lemeland, of Williamsburg, Massachusetts, and five grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles.

Concord Monitor, December 10, 2024