Born Ollie Jane Stohlman to parents Charles and Clara, she grew up in Englewood, CO with her three sisters. Ollie Jane graduated from Englewood High School and the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Ollie Jane began teaching piano lessons at age thirteen and playing and teaching piano became both her passion and life’s work. She was the first president of the newly reinstated Mu Rho chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority at DU and was a lifelong member of its Denver alumni chapter. One of her great joys in life was when former students kept in touch – especially if she learned that they were still playing piano or passing it along to their children.
Ollie Jane married Russell Hancock in 1954, and together they raised daughters Janell and Deanne in Englewood. Ollie Jane and Russell loved to square dance and were members of the Cast Offs square dancing club. Other hobbies included driving in the Colorado mountains, fishing, travelling, and playing pinochle with friends. Ollie Jane also enjoyed oil painting, tap dancing, line dancing, and playing board games with her family. She relished spending time with her grandchildren and teaching them to play the piano.
Ollie Jane is survived by daughters Janell Larsen (Vaughn) and Deanne Hancock (Ron Wiley) and grandchildren Leif and Courtney Larsen. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Russell.
Special thanks to Someren Glen and Compassus Hospice for their loving care.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Hancock family.
