Jane Hetherington

Jane Hetherington, age 84, a longtime resident of Danville, passed away Easter evening, Sunday, April 12, 2009 in Houston, Texas after a long battle with Alzheimers disease. Jane was born to Albert and Odie Johnson Larson on Halloween, October 31, 1924 in Danville. As a child and teenager, she loved to roller skate and dance and spent many afternoons and evenings with her friends at Lincoln Park. She went to Danville schools and graduated from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1945. She later earned her BA in nursing from Eastern University while in her 50s. In her early years, Jane worked as an office nurse for Dr. Jean Moore, during which time she married Edward Pete Hetherington in 1947 who later became Dr. Moores practice partner. Jane and Pete had 4 children - Janet, Mark (Rusty), Jodie, and Peter. Jane resumed her career in nursing in 1968 when she served as one of Danvilles first Visiting Nurses, a role that she was uniquely suited for because of her compassion for children and the elderly. In 1974, Jane received the Danville Commercial News award for Outstanding Woman of the Year as a testament to her devotion, service and love for others. She worked in community health care for several years and later at the psychiatric unit of the Veterans Administration Hospital. After her retirement, she would often fill in at CRIS Senior Services where she continued caring for her beloved elderly patients. Jane loved Danville and never dreamed of living anywhere else. Besides being a devoted daughter to her parents and loving sister to Donald, Jane was a wonderful mother whose children, and later her 7 grandchildren, came first in her life. She was also proud to act as a second mother to her brothers children when their own mother passed away. Her many friends knew that they could rely on Jane at all times and that she would be the first to help out when they needed her. Jane had a charming sense of humor and could see the lighter side of most issues. She enjoyed bowling and card games, especially bridge, with her many friends. She loved to give gifts and one never left her home without receiving one. She was a life long member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Danville and found great strength and comfort in her religion. Jane was a rare person, one who truly thought of others before herself, and she will be sadly missed by her loving family and friends. Visitation for Jane will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, April 17, 2009 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 901 West Fairchild, in Danville. Internment will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to CRIS Senior Services at 309 North Franklin Street in Danville or to the Bethel Lutheran Church. Email condolences may be sent to Janes family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.