Jane Render MacArthur

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Render and Joan O’Connor Render, stepmother, Alberta Render and Jane’s younger sisters, Joan Render Reiblich and Mary Render Sawyer.

Jane grew up in Schererville and Hammond, Indiana and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond and Holy Cross School of Nursing in South Bend. During nursing school, she worked for the 1968 McCarthy campaign and loved sharing the story about when she and other students picked up actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward from the South Bend airport to take them to a campaign rally. Jane and other campaign workers also had tea with actress, Myrna Loy.

Jane had wonderful memories of seeing The Beatles in 1964 and The Rolling Stones in 1966 at The Indiana State Fairgrounds.

She fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a registered nurse and her first nursing position was in Denver, Colorado, where she met her husband, Philip “Dana” MacArthur.

Jane is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Dana, son Peter (Jennifer) and daughter Aimee. She leaves behind her older brother John (Diane), younger sisters Ellen (Ken) Jenkins and Jean O’Laughlin and younger brother Danny (Candice). Jane leaves behind three beautiful grandchildren, Maggie, Annie, and Willie and many cousins, nephews, nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces.

Jane worked as a nurse for 38 years and spent most of her nursing career as a psychiatric nurse at Ascension St. Vincent Stress Center. It brought her great personal fulfillment to destigmatize mental illness. She retired from nursing in 2006.

Jane was an accomplished cook and her specialties included brownies and lemon meringue pie. She appreciated talented chefs and her favorite places in Indianapolis included Rene’s Bakery and Oakleys Bistro. She and Dana often talked about some of the great Indy restaurants that closed years ago like Deeter’s and The Glass Chimney.

Jane loved to plan trips and travel with Dana and her family. Jane said her anniversary trip with Dana to France was life changing and the experience only fueled her wanderlust. When Dana and Jane returned home from France, Dana sent Jane flowers and the message on the card read, “We’ll always have Paris.”

Jane loved spending time with her sisters and delighted in making them laugh. She looked forward to the annual sisters' trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Each sister picked a vacation name and Jane’s vacation name was “Marlene.”

Jane was extremely funny and known for her dry sense of humor, quick wit, infectious laugh, intelligence, excellent memory, kindness and stylish sensibility. Even as a child, she was always wise beyond her years and family and friends always sought her out for her sage advice. She had a calm and warm presence.

Jane enjoyed watching movies, especially mysteries, and was a fan of Alfred Hitchcock and Aaron Sorkin movies. Jane always kept up with politics and was a loyal and devoted viewer of “Indiana Week in Review."

Listening to music and being the family DJ whether at home or on a road trip was one of Jane’s favorite things to do and some of her favorite singers included Brian Wilson, John Lennon and Peter Cetera. Jane and Dana’s song was “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Jefferson Starship. Jane and Dana threw many family parties over the years and the soundtrack from “The Big Chill” was always playing in the background of any party.

Jane and Dana loved spending time together, whether it was cooking, going to the movies, traveling or even attending clown school together. Jane was a longtime pet lover and spoiled her beloved miniature poodle, Louis.

Jane appreciated beautiful and stylish cars. She adored her 1970 green Barracuda and she and Dana joked that they regretted trading in the car years ago.

Jane’s beauty, laughter and optimism will be forever missed, and life will not be the same without her. She was a cheerleader for her family and friends.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Matt Helmen with Ascension Medical Group, Dr. Luke Nelligan and the nurses and staff at Compassus Hospice. The family is also grateful to Compassus at Home and Jane’s nurse, Carrie and physical therapist, Henry. Memorial contributions can be made to Ascension St. Vincent Foundation or Compassus Hospice.