With great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Jane Williams Diven, age 92, on September 9, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was surrounded by her husband and children.

Jane was born in Philadelphia to James Burnham and Dorothy Williams. She graduated from Germantown Friends School and Keuka College.

Jane married George Diven in 1952 and they spent their early married life in Blackstone, Virginia, where George served in the Army and Jane was a nurse in the military hospital. They next moved to Dundee, New York, where they operated a farm. Eventually they settled in New Paltz, New York, where they raised their family. 

Jane worked for the New Paltz and Newburgh Schools for the next three decades, nursing sick children, teaching health, and working with migrant families. Her office was a favorite hangout for students who enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Diven. During this busy time, Jane also earned a master’s degree in health education and became a Certified Nurse Practitioner.

Employed full time and with four children at home, Jane was known for her amazing ability to get work done. She would return from her workday, recharge with a cup of Taster’s Choice, and then act as a full-time homemaker. She made sure her children were involved in music, church, scouting, and sports.

Jane was a true animal lover. A constant stream of pets enriched the lively Diven household, including a series of beloved Scottish Terriers in her last decades.

Jane was an avid traveler. Her travel abroad included trips to West Africa, Caribbean destinations including Cuba, and several trips to Europe. Following their retirement, Jane and George and their Scotties traveled throughout the USA and Mexico in an RV. In 2012, they settled in the Westminster Suncoast retirement community in St. Petersburg.

Jane was a great lover of music and she participated in choir, theater, dance, and musical events in New Paltz and Westminster Suncoast. She also frequently attended musical and theater events wherever she lived.

Jane and George spent summers in New Hampshire living in their cottage on Bradley Lake in Andover. Her family will forever associate “Grandma Jane” with blueberry muffins and blueberry pie, and games of Scrabble and Mexican Train at the kitchen table.

Jane and George’s beloved daughter Andrea Diven Delaney died in 2023. Jane was also predeceased by her brother, John Williams. 

Jane is survived by her husband of 71 years, George M Diven, sons Peter Diven, James Diven (Yvette), daughter Polly Diven (John Constantelos), and son-in-law Dennis Delaney. Jane will be greatly missed by her eight grandchildren: Katy (Chris), Toran (Sarah), Jim (Sara), Alex, Irene, Peter, Julia (Tim), and Joey. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held at the Bradley Lake cottage in 2025.