Jane Stephens Dutcher

Jane Stephens Dutcher, 93, died following a long illness on March 28. A native of Elkton, MD, she moved to the Memphis area in 1951. She was past Director of Security Signals, Inc. and founder of Montessori Educators International. As teacher and administrator, she helped establish the Montessori program at Lausanne School. Her education included degrees from University of Delaware and University of Memphis along with training at St. Nicholas Montessori Center in London. She enjoyed travel, gardening, and music and was a supporter of the Memphis Symphony and the Memphis Public Library. She was instrumental in establishing the Cordova Library and was named Friend of the Year with the MPLIC in 2010.She was predeceased by husband, Thomas B. Dutcher, Jr. and daughter Mary D. Birks. She is survived by daughters Susan D. Lee (George) of Cordova and Joan D. Jeanrenaud of San Francisco and grandchildren Bevan Lee and Gunther Lee. Services will be held at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel on Friday, April 4th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Friends of the Memphis Public Library, or charity of the donor’s choice.