Jane Anne Taylor

Jane Anne Taylor, 86, of Leawood, KS, passed away peacefully April 18, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital. A Visitation will be held from 10-11am, Friday, April 22, 2022 at Church of the Nativity, Leawood, KS located at 3800 West 119th Street. This will be followed by a Catholic Service at 11am, with Jane to be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions may be made in her name to the Wayside Waifs.

Jane was born on January 29, 1936, in Newton, KS to John and Nellie Jenkins. Jane was a proud Newton Railroader. She then went on to the University of Kansas where she studied Art & Design as a Textile Design Major. Jane met and dated James at KU, and then joined him at Ft. Bragg, NC during James’ service with the US Special Services in the 3rd Army as an Architect. Jane and James married thereafter, at St. Mary’s Church in Newton, KS.

Jane and James later left the Army honorably to start James’ career as an Architect with the design firm of Kivett & Myers, and later with Ed Tanner of Edward W. Tanner and Associates, who was the primary Architect of the Country Club Plaza. During this time, she continued pursue art in Kansas City with a stint at Hallmark. So the couple could afford the down payment for their first house, Jane taught first grade in 1957 at Christ the King Church, in Kansas City.

First and foremost, Jane loved art, design and fashion. She had a fascination with the sculptures of Henry Moore and Christo. She loved the art of Miro and showed her talent and Miro’s influence on her in some of the mosaic tile work at her son’s restaurant – La Bodega. Along with James and the kids, she was fascinated with nature and their many travels to Estes Park, Colorado.

Jane was preceded in death her husband of 62 years, James E. Taylor, Sr., and by her parents John and Nellie Jenkins. Survivors include her brother John Jenkins, son James E. Taylor, Jr.; her daughter Elizabeth Fisher and her husband Glenn Fisher and their two sons, Reese and Rylan; and her daughter Anne Stuart with her husband Kenneth Stuart, and their two sons Devin and Prestin.

“Spike”, as she was lovingly called by her husband James, died peacefully with her family by her side. In fact, she passed in time to meet her husband for their 65th Wedding Anniversary, which would be celebrated on April 19. She now is welcomed into the heavenly gates by James Sr., John and Nellie. She loved her children, who will miss her terribly. She is now is able to find peace.