Mrs. Jane Anne Seckinger McCutchen

Jane AnneSeckinger McCutchen, a 4th generation Floridian, passed away on Saturday afternoon, the 9th of July 2011, following a major stroke. Mrs. McCutchen was born in Martel, Florida, on the 23rd of February 1931, and was descended from Scandinavian, Austrian, and Saltzburger German ancestors. The Saltzburgers settled on the Savannah River in Ebenezer, Georgia, in 1734 and her Great Great Grandfather, Josiah Seckinger, migrated to Florida from Georgia in 1831. At age 5, Jane moved with her family to a community called Flemington, Florida, where she attended Reddick High School through the 8th grade.

Jane received the American Legion Award for Citizenship in the 8th grade; and, through her music teacher, discovered her voice and talent for singing. At age 11, she entered and won a singing contest at the American Legion in Gainesville, Florida, before a crowd of young soldiers in 1942, a defining moment in her young life. Later, a record was cut and played on the local radio station, KVET. She loved singing and performed with the choral group, Medilarks, for many years. When war was declared on the 7th of December 1941, no one could predict the tremendous impact this would have on their lives. The war years taught Jane and her generation core values of sacrifice, courage, and patriotism. Soon her 18 year old brother, Harold, was conscripted into the Army. He carried a Bible during his service years and brought the bible safely home to her. In 1944, during WWII, Jane’s family relocated to Gainesville, Florida, and like many other families, awaited the end of the war and the return of their loved ones.

Jane graduated from Gainesville High School in 1949, attended Judson College for Women in Marion, Alabama, from 1949 to 1950, and the University of Florida in Gainesville from 1950 to 1951, where she met her future husband, John Jolley McCutchen, M.D.J.D., of Philadelphia and New Jersey in 1951. Together they welcomed a daughter, Michele (Mica) Colleen McCutchen Mosbacher, and a son, John Jolley McCutchen II. They moved with their family of two young children in 1956 to Cleveland, Ohio, where John ultimately graduated from Case Western Reserve Medical School. Following a residency in Tennessee, Dr. McCutchen and his family moved to Houston in the late 1960’s, where he subsequently joined Dr. Denton Cooley’s Heart Transplant Team, at what is now the Texas Heart Institute.

Through the years, Mrs. McCutchen served her community in various capacities. She was a member of the Harris County Medical Auxiliary, a member of the Jacinto Girl Scouts Council and a Cadette Troop Leader, a member and a board member of the Houston Symphony Society Auxiliary, she served with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer with the Women’s Hospital of Texas, a member of the Women’s Hospital of Texas Auxiliary Board, a volunteer at Texas Children’s Hospital, and a member of the Blue Bird Circle. She continued her studies at the Houston Community College, the Berlitz School of Languages, and the University of St. Thomas, earning the Conversational Spanish Award at UST.

Mrs. McCutchen realized a childhood dream, when, as a student pilot, she soloed in 1968. Her business background was in banking, but she found her niche in 1984 at The Art Institute of Houston, where she served in an administrative capacity for the next 18 years, participating in numerous school organizations and activities. Her enthusiasm for education and the students she served never diminished. After retirement, she continued to be an enthusiastic supporter for education in all fields and an advocate for scholarships.

Mrs. McCutchen touched the lives of so many. She had a passion for life, a quick wit, an infectious laugh, and was a loving friend, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. An avid boater, tennis player, and dove hunter, Jane loved the outdoors. She was a true Southern lady, who carried herself with grace and lit up every room with her warm and gracious smile. An eternal optimist, she lived life to the fullest. She was blessed with a great grandson, Donald Cameron Duncan IV. Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She was a longtime member of The Church of St. John the Divine, where she was especially fond of the musical aspects of the Episcopal services.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde Benjamin and Anna Eliza Rodgers Seckinger; her brother, Rodger Franklin Seckinger; and by her previous husband, John Jolley McCutchen, M.D.J.D.

Mrs. McCutchen leaves her beloved family: daughter, Consul Michele (Mica) McCutchen Mosbacher, widow of the late Robert A. Mosbacher, Sr., 28th Secretary of Commerce, of Houston; son, John Jolley McCutchen II and daughter-in-law, Karen Garrett McCutchen, of Dallas, and grandson, Donald Cameron Duncan III and wife, Brittanie Hoster Duncan, and great grandson, Donald Cameron Duncan IV; and granddaughter, Clementine Bouvier McCutchen, of London, and grandson, Ayrton Pierre McCutchen of France; brother, Harold Eugene Seckinger and sister-in-law, Sheila Ensor Seckinger, of Homosassa Springs, Florida; and other loved family members, including Clay and Lynn Hoster, Mary Kay Garrett, and Joyce Wiggins.

The family also wishes to recognize and express their gratitude to Drs. Alan Rubin and Syed Hasnain, along with the wonderful caring nurses at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Neuroscience ICU Stroke Center. In addition, the family desires to acknowledge Rev. John-Vincent Rouse, M.Th. and the other dedicated professionals at Vitas Hospice.

The funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 13th of July, in the sanctuary of The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall, Rector, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during Wednesday’s services are Donald Cameron Duncan III, Clay Hoster, Ayrton Pierre McCutchen, John Jolley McCutchen II, Johnny Perry, Harold Seckinger, Lee Seckinger, Sean Seckinger, Tad Seckinger, Patrick Tenant, Dr. David Turell, and Maurice Walker.

At a later date, the family is to gather for private interment service in the historic St. John's Cemetery of Cotton Plant, Florida.

The announced services in Houston are with Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 713.789.3005; and the private services in Florida are with Forest Lawn Funeral Home of Ocala, 352.622.8181.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, contributions in memory of Mrs. Jane Seckinger McCutchen may be directed to the Texas Heart Institute, Development Office, MC 3-117, P. O. Box 20345, Houston, TX, 77225-0345; or to the Memorial Hermann Memorial City Stroke Center, c/o Keith Alexander, Hospital CEO, 921 Gessner Rd., Houston, TX, 77024.