Jane Bernice Celaya

Born to Thomas Baird and Bernice Peletier in 1935, Jane was the oldest of three sisters. Jane was married to Antonio Celaya for 59 years. She was the mother of 8 children, grandmother of 11 and great-grandmother of 4.

Together they lived in California, Mexico and southern Arizona. Jane and Antonio enjoyed ranch life, raising large and small livestock, volunteering with church organizations, the American Legion, 4-H and the local schools. If there was a child in need or an orphaned kitten, puppy or goat (you name it!), Jane was ready with a generous heart and a gentle hand. In their later years, Jane and Antonio kept rescue horses on their property as well.

After the birth of her last child, Jane pursued personal development and higher education. She studied Theater Arts and used her skills both as an actress and a set designer/builder in college and local theater productions. Around the age most are thinking of retirement, she switched gears and became a CO II for the Arizona Department of Corrections. While all her friends and family were surprised by her new advocation, Antonio proudly chuckled, “Why be surprised? She’s tougher than all the rest of us put together!”

Jane was an accomplished fine artist, working in chalk, oil and acrylic paints. She helped found the Chiricahua Gallery in Rodeo, NM to support the artists in her community. Jane was also a writer, publishing her first novel at the age of 80, followed by a young reader’s chapter book, and a work of historical fiction.

Jane is preceded in death by her husband Antonio, her daughters Mary Helen and Elizabeth and her granddaughter Lauren. She is survived by her children, Sharon Stafford, Antonio Celaya (stepson), Barbara Celaya, Tom (Ralph) Celaya, Adam Celaya, Mary Korn, George Celaya, their families and her sister Janice Patterson.

Jane passed away on Christmas Eve, 2025.

Her memorial is scheduled for March 9th at 3pm, at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, in Tucson AZ.

If you have a heart for animal rescue, please donate in memory of Jane to: Patches’ Happy Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary, www.patcheshappypastures.org