Jane Domenico

Jane Wissbach Domenico was born in 1928 in Brooklyn, New York to William and Lillian Wissbach. The older of two daughters, Jane, spent much of her early life in Floral Park on Long Island. She graduated from Adelphi University and went on to work at Mutual of New York. It was there that she met her future husband, Philip Domenico. Together, Jane and Phil raised four independent daughters, imbibing in them a love of literature and libraries and fueling life-long interests in learning.

Jane took this love of learning with her when she moved to the snow-belt region of Syracuse, New York, channeling her distinctive and distinguished taste in antiques into a thriving business specializing in 19th-century furniture and paintings. She mastered many of the decorative arts of the period: rug hooking, reverse oil painting on glass, tin painting, floorcloths, and quilting. Her specialty was Early American stenciling. She stenciled multiple rooms in her family home and was contracted by the Manlius Historical Society to stencil their walls.

Never too busy to play a hand of gin rummy, a set of tennis, or a round of Jeopardy, Jane loved games – especially when she won. An avid baker, her one-of-a-kind gingerbread cookies were an annual treat at the Christ Church Christmas Mart. On evenings with her Gourmet Dinner Club, bridge was often preceded by her world-famous beef bourguignon and her equally renowned Mickey Mousse dessert.

Jane died peacefully at The Cedars in Portland, Maine, surrounded by love. Over her ninety-eight years, she embraced a full life with her beloved husband of 65 years, her four daughters (Nina, Lisa, Carrie, and Dorcas), three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and one very special friend. She will live on in our hearts forever.