Jane H. Howard

She was born on May 31, 1927 at Hotel Dieu Hospital in El Paso, Texas to the late Forrest Lee House and Lillian Mae House of Canutillo near El Paso. Jane, as she was known to family and friends, was the “Apple of her Daddy’s eye” and the adored little girl who frequently accompanied her mother Lillian to many garden parties and other events on her active social calendar where Jane loved meeting new people and making friends, a characteristic that served her well for the rest of her life. Growing up in El Paso, she attended El Paso High School and later studied at Texas Western College (now known as University of Texas at El Paso) before training to become a radiologist.

She met her late husband Lt. Colonel (Ret) Cleo Noel Howard, Jr of El Paso, Texas while at college and was an active partner in his military career in the U.S. Army which took them to numerous duty stations in the U.S. and overseas to Okinawa, Japan and Kitzingen, Germany. She especially enjoyed traveling and living abroad and taught her children to appreciate the history, culture and language of foreign countries by visiting countless sights of interest in Europe. Always active in service to her community, Jane served as a “Gray Lady” volunteer at U.S. Army hospitals in Germany and the United States. She spent several years as a Cub Scout Den Mother in support of her sons and other young boys encouraging them to uphold the Scout motto to “Do Your Best.” Returning from overseas and moving to Falls Church, Virginia, Jane volunteered her time as a teacher’s aide for special education students in Fairfax County Public Schools. She so enjoyed working with special needs kids that she went back to school to get her Bachelor and Masters degrees in Special Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Subsequently for the next 16 years until her retirement from Fairfax County Public Schools, she taught special needs children, many with profound disabilities. Her sense of duty to country and long-standing service to others was passed on and adopted by her children and grandchildren.

Self-reliant, dedicated and often outspoken, Jane was “spunky” in character but enjoyed a good laugh and a tease, even at her own expense. Family members will remember and understand her infamous gaffe, “Bargles don’t Beagle.”

She was predeceased by her parents Forrest Lee House and Lillian Mae (Acres) House. She is survived by her four children: Timothy N. Howard (Caroline) of Spring, TX; Alan F. Howard of Timberville, VA; Gerald G. Howard (Denise) of El Paso, TX; Janet L. Howard of Reston, VA. Grandchildren: Amanda Hoban (Joseph); Brittney Hemminger; Elizabeth Howard; Matthew Hemminger; Christine Howard; Victoria Howard; Christopher Howard; Jayden Hadden. Great-grandchildren: Joseph Hoban; Jack Hoban. Sister: Mary Lee Mulhern (Thomas). Niece: Jeannie. Nephews: Joseph and Cian.

She will be laid to rest following a private graveside service for family at the Andrew Chapel Cemetery, Vienna, Virginia.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to “Wounded Warrior Project” or the “American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Research.”