Jane Westfall Summary

Jane Westfall Summary Passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2011. She was 71. A self-described farm girl from Stockbridge, Michigan, Jane spent her youth in the wilds of the Lower Peninsula fishing, ice fishing and collecting mushrooms with her late parents, Paul and Harriet Westfall. Her father's only "son," she excelled at sports in Lansing, competing with the boys in the neighborhood, including Jim Wolfram, now of Allegan, Michigan. One of Jane's proudest teen memories was playing shortstop on a Lansing City Girls Fast Pitch Softball championship team. At Michigan State University, Jane was swept off her feet by a young graduate student in biochemistry and soon-to-be military man, (Lt. Col.) James John Summary (now deceased), married and set upon the world, moving from military post to military post in Germany, Texas, D.C., Hawaii and San Rafael, California, where she and Jim settled. In the midst of the frequent moves and stop offs in Jim's hometown of Benton, Illinois, Jane and Jim raised successfully three children--Mark (educator), Christina (office manager) and Thad (physical therapist)and Jane completed her training as a licensed medical technologist, landing at the former Ross Valley Medical Clinic in 1976 until its close. Jane also worked at the former Marin Medical Labs at Marin General Hospital and Novato Community Hospital, until a retirement forced upon her by Alzheimer's. Jane cherished the outdoors and animals, especially dogs; bowled and golfed; dabbled in German and Italian; and enjoyed many seasons of San Francisco opera and symphony; above all, however, she loved her husband, kids and their spouses, David Smith, Mari Tsuruoka-Summary and Rachel Sablay-Summary and her grandkidsZachary Smith, Grace Smith, Strider Summary and Angelica Summary. The consummate hostess, Jane opened her home to folks from around the globe, relishing the companionship, food and drink and tales. Oh! the tales. From the observer's point of view, Jane's last decade or so of life was one of hardship, losing her husband to diabetes, developing breast cancer and--most of all, a constant battle with the ravages of Alzheimer's. Yes, Jane acknowledged these potholes but never succumbed to despair. She would tell of the beauty of Marin County, the joy of outings with Senior Access, and excitement of bowling and drives in the country with her longtime caregiver, her friend, Carla Hubbard of Petaluma. Nothing could suppress Jane's broad, infectious smile, abundant vitality, zest for life. Jane lived every day on the sunny side of the street. Visitation for Jane will be held from 11AM to 1PM, Thursday, October 27, 2011 at Valley Memorial Park Chapel, 650 Bugeia Lane, Novato, CA. Graveside Services will be held, at 11am, Saturday, October, 29, 2011 at Valley Memorial Park. Arrangements in the care of ADOBE CREEK FUNERAL HOME, 331 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952. Online condolences may be made at adobecreekfuneralhome.com Cheda & Lyons Directors 415-883-8070