Jane H. Light

Jane Hanley Light, age 88, of Houston, our beloved mother passed away on the 20th of April 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jane was born on the 17th of April 1924, in Denver, Colorado, to Lucien Miles and Irene Malo Harris.

As a young girl, her family moved to California where she enjoyed many memories of the beach with her brother and sister. While in Los Angeles, she attended St. Mary’s Academy, and later moved back to Colorado and graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1941. She attended Loretta Heights College for two years where she did outstanding work in social services and polished her equestrian skills. She married Hampton Anthony Hanley in 1943. With the onset of World War II, she worked in a B29 assembly factory, while her husband was away at war. After WWII, the family moved to Louisiana, then California. Tragically, her husband was killed in 1956. She eventually moved to Houston and remarried. She loved Texas and raised all of her nine children here. She took pleasure in spending time with her family and always looked forward to the many occasions where everyone played kickball, basketball, and volleyball. She also enjoyed watching football. She was delighted to be known as “Coach Light” of the Houston Texans. No matter where she went or what she did, she was always the center of attention. Her fun spirit, quick wit, and sophisticated nature will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Before retiring at the age of 75, she worked as a fashion consultant with Sakowitz, Everitt-Buelow, and Dillard’s, where she received many accolades for her outstanding performances. After retiring, with her energy and zest for knowledge, she then decided to continue her college education for several years, where she studied history and computer literacy.

She is survived by her 9 children: Sandra Strassner, Pamela (Steve) Martin, Ronnie Hanley, Donna (Leon) Freedman, Greg Hanley, Joan Hartland, Patrice Riley, Barbara (Randall) Womac, Debbie Tolar; 36 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Marie Westhoff; brother, Jim L. Harris; sister in law, Martha Harris; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 25th of April, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where a Recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o’clock.

The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 26th of April, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston, where the Rev. Victor Perez, Parochial Vicar, is to serve as celebrant.

Immediately following the Mass, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Community Center.

The Right of Committal is to follow the reception, via an escorted cortege, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

Honored to serve as casket bearers during Thursday’s services are Ryan Womac, Greg Hanley II, Travis McCullough, David Hartland, Berndie Strassner, and Grant Martin.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Society/St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Dr., Houston, TX, 77024.