Jane Studdert Rushing

Jane Studdert Rushing, 92, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024 in Amarillo, Texas with two of her daughters by her side. She was born December 5, 1931, in Houston, Texas, the only child of John and Marie Studdert. She grew up in the Riverside area of Houston and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1950, and The Rice Institute in 1954 with a degree in English. Following graduation, she taught school for one year in Victoria, Texas.

She married Sandy Simmons Rushing, Jr. on July 12, 1955. For the first three years of their marriage, Sandy was in the Navy and served as an officer on two aircraft carriers. After Sandy was discharged from the Navy in Norfolk, VA, in 1958, they moved back to southwest Houston and settled in the new Westbury area, where they lived for 33 years and raised their five children. They purchased and fully renovated an historic home in the East End Historic District on Broadway and retired to Galveston in 1991. She was a charter member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church during her years in Westbury and then attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church during her three decades in Galveston. For the past two years while living in Amarillo, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

For many years, Jane was a well-known Yoga instructor in the Houston area and had articles written about her in various publications, including the Houston Chronicle. She learned to paint and took many trips taking pictures, painting seascapes, the Texas Hill Country, cottages, ships, anything that caught her eye that she could envision on a canvas. She was very involved in the arts community in Houston and in Galveston. After moving to Galveston, she was involved with the East End Historical District Association, Art Walks, Dickens on the Strand, LaFitte Society, teaching art to children burn victims at the Shriners Children’s Hospital and much more. The homes of her children and grandchildren are filled with her beautiful paintings. Her children all have a copy of the old lighthouse on the Bolivar Peninsula where many memories were made.

Jane and Sandy enjoyed the beach, and the entire family spent much time at the “Rushing Retreat” in Crystal Beach. Many generations of family were able to spend time and make memories at the beach house. Sadly, the beach house was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Jane and Sandy loved to cruise and traveled to many places to see the sights and meet people around the world.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Sandy, in 2012, her son, Thomas, in 1975, and her son-in-law, Ira Davis, in 2020. Jane lived at The Meridian in Galveston for a number of years and enjoyed walks across the seawall to put her feet in the surf and sand. She moved from Galveston to Amarillo in June 2022 and made new friends while living at Park Central. She is survived by son Lee (Sherry) of Willis, daughters Nancy Ebert (Bernie) of Austin, Sara Davis of Austin, and Carol Bruckner (Brian) of Amarillo; nine grandchildren – Bryan Rushing (Renata), Stephen Rushing, and Kevin Rushing (Kiana); Katie, Ellie, and Claire Davis; Maggie and Matthew Bruckner, and Emily Bruckner Braly (Ransom); and four great-grandchildren – Jackson, Ember, Autumn, and Walker Rushing.

Visitation at 1:00 pm and Funeral Service at 2:00 pm will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Forest Park Lawndale Chapel of Angels at 6900 Lawndale in Houston, Texas 77023. Following the service, a gathering for family and friends will be held at the home of her cousin, Liz Studdert Regenscheid. We invite everyone to enjoy a scoop of chocolate ice cream and/or a glass of red wine (at Tea Time – 5pm – of course) in her memory.

The family would like to express their gratefulness and thanks to the wonderful staff at The Meridian, and Jane’s personal caregiver, Brenda “Kitty” Vinson, in Galveston. The family is also grateful for the exceptional care from the staff and caregivers at Park Place Towers, BSA Compassion at Home, BSA Hospital, and the Ware at Park Central, during her time in Amarillo.

The family invites you to make donations in Jane Rushing’s name to the East End Historical District Association (www.eastendhistoricaldistrict.org), the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital (www.shrinerschildrens.org) or the charity of your choice.