Jane Adele Graves

Jane Adele Graves, Age 88, of Nolensville, TN, formerly of Dundee, IL passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Jane was born to the late William Albert and Siiri (Sadie) Wiederhold on February 6, 1936 in Park Ridge, IL.

After graduation from Arlington Heights Township High School in Arlington Heights, IL 1953, Jane started her career as an executive secretary for Revcor and Otto Engineering in Carpentersville, IL. She worked for 24 years at Chicago Rawhide in Elgin, IL which later became SKF. She retired from SKF in the late 1990’s.

Jane was a loving wife to William (Bill) Lee Graves, whom she met on a blind date in 1954. They married in Chicago, IL on August 28, 1954. Together they had one daughter, Debra Contaldo (nee Graves). They started their family in Arlington Heights, IL and eventually ended up in Carpentersville, IL where they made a group of friends, who dubbed themselves “The Four Winds Way Gang” that lasted her lifetime. In 1973, Bill and Jane built a home in West Dundee which they lived for the next 50 years. In 2021, Jane and Bill followed their family and moved to Nolensville, TN.

Jane rarely missed a sports game, concert, or event for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rain, snow, or shine, she would make the trek to some faraway field or court and stay for hours on end cheering on her family. She was an avid gardener and meticulously maintained beautiful plants and flowers throughout her yard in Dundee. Many of her plants have been split and transplanted across the Midwest in the gardens of friends and family. Jane was a skilled seamstress who made clothes for herself and Debbie, before moving on to Debbie’s wedding dress, then grandbaby clothes and prom dresses. Jane was always in the kitchen preparing a delicious meal for her family and friends. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays and she decked the halls, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the basement, the yard…you name it. When her mother passed, Jane took over hosting Christmas for her extended family. She baked enough Christmas cookies to feed a multitude with people begging for plates to take home. If you were lucky enough, you eventually received some of her famous chocolate covered cherries she made with an exclusive circle of friends using their secret recipe. For years, Jane and Bill were members of a Pinochle club with family and childhood friends.

She made friends with people near and far. She always enjoyed lunching with girlfriends, camping when Debbie was little, taking cruises, traveling all over, gardening, and playing cards (specifically hand and foot). Jane sent handwritten cards to hundreds of people each year to commemorate all of life’s highs and lows, many of whom were touched that she would remember. Jane had an infectious laugh and could play a rousing game of peek-a-boo for what seemed like hours.

Jane was a special person who cannot be replaced and will never be forgotten.

Jane was the mother-in-law to Robert Contaldo and Gramma to four grandchildren, Joe (Claire), Mike, Anthony (Lluvia), and Diana (David Silva). She was a very special Oma to seven great grandchildren: Penelope, Rose, Paloma, Luca, Lola, Ramona, and Marco.

Jane is survived by her loving husband William Lee Graves; daughter, Debra Ann (Robert) Contaldo; four grandchildren, Joe (Claire), Mike, Anthony (Lluvia), and Diana (David Silva); seven great grandchildren, Penelope, Rose, Paloma, Luca, Lola, Ramona, and Marco; brother, Corky Wiederhold; sister, Donna Themer; sister-in-law, Nellie Taylor; along with countless nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Other than her parents Jane is preceded in death by her older brother and younger sister, four sisters-in-law, and 3 brothers-in-law and many other relatives and friends.

Gathering of Family & Friends will be Friday, March 22, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM following will be a Celebration of Life at 12:00 PM at Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 9010 Church Street East, Brentwood, TN, 37027.