Jane Marilyn Murphy

February 26, 1954 – April 3, 2011

Jane was born in Jackson, Michigan, where she attended Queens Elementary School and Lumen Christi High School. She graduated with honors from The University of Michigan in Music Education.

Jane was band director at Perry Middle and High Schools, and then took a position with Marshall Music in East Lansing. Over the next 26 years Jane helped develop programs and policies as Co-Director of the School Service Department. She coordinated music aptitude testing and instrument selection for schools throughout the state. Jane taught private lessons on a variety of instruments, and was a percussionist for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Meridian Community Band.

Marshall Music gave Jane a successful career and a supportive work environment. It is also where she met the love of her life, George Fetter. They were married in 2002 and enjoyed a rich musical, travel and social life together. Jane's family could not believe their good fortune when Jane brought George into their lives.

It was Jane's support of her mother, Lucille, that allowed her to live independently into her 90's. George and Jane always had a seat in the car for her mom, and if they weren't helping her with shopping or appointments, they could be found together at concerts, fairs or out to dinner.

Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, and she showed us all how to live bravely and well despite increasing challenges over the next 16 years. She couldn't have done it without George, whose love and caring made it all worthwhile. Jane also valued the close relationships she built with her medical team, and her family would like to thank them for all they did to keep Jane with us.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Lucille Murphy. She is survived by her husband, George (and his family), her brothers James (Jana) and Thomas (Barbara), her sister Susan (John), and her twin sister Janet. She was an exciting aunt to her nieces and nephews Shannon, Shane, Casey, Brittany, Sarah, Peter, and Margaret. Her family will never forget her wonderful storytelling and mischievous sense of humor. Jane was courageous, powerful, silly, hard working, careful, loving, and very smart. She will be profoundly missed by her extended family, cousins, friends, neighbors, and co-workers whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be April 7, from 6-8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, Friday, April 8, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to the life-giving work of the American Cancer Society, 3100 West Rd., Bldg B, Ste 110, East Lansing, MI 48823. On Line condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com.