Jane Dene

Dene, Jane age 87 of Deerfield Beach, FL passed away on December 18, 2012. She is survived by her daughter,Valerie Dene Miller; by grandsons: Dustin Robert (Eileen) Miller and Steven Michael Miller; by her great-grandchildren: Stiphenee Flores, Juan Collazo, and Giavanna Rose Miller; and by her god-daughter, Gail Barbati Erickson. Visitation will be on Friday, December 21, 2012 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the funeral home. The funeral service will be 9:00am Saturday, December 22nd at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Pompano Beach followed by entombment at Boynton Beach Memorial Park in Boynton Beach. Arrangements were made by: Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 1199 E. Sample Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. Phone: 954-946-2900.

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Jane Dene. She was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to her because she was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around her had whatever they needed. Jane was a talkative person who was tactful at all times but typically said what she meant.

She was the daughter of Larry and Jennie Garelli. Jane was raised in Brooklyn, New York. During her childhood she learned to be reliable and respectful. Jane was an obedient child who wanted to win the favor of others. She found it easy to show sympathy and to perform kind acts for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Jane's personality throughout her life.

Though Jane was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with her family, she was also quite often the family member who took the role of referee. Jane was a peace-maker with an ability to resolve all sorts of family conflicts. In fact, Jane worked conscientiously to keep those typical family spats at bay. Jane was raised with six siblings. She had an older sister Nettie, younger sister Rosalie, younger brothers, Joseph, Michael, Jerome and Bobby. Jane and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

As someone who reveled in the sheer joy of her experiences, Jane was always enthusiastic about new adventures. Although she had an exicting nature, Jane was always tactful. One thing Jane will certainly be remembered for is that, when she got up in the mornings, she was ready and raring to go. As a young girl, Jane had a number of interests and was an active child. She was a Girl Scout Leader.

There was one thing that all of Jane's friends knew and will still remember, and that is that she was a talker. She could pretty much talk to anybody about anything. This quality is one of the primary reasons that Jane was such a popular person throughout her life. But Jane was also dependable, loyal and trustworthy. Jane was the kind of person who simply radiated good fellowship. While she maintained personal standards and her own personal values, Jane was very accepting of others. With a distinct skill for working things out, Jane was often the person who would organize events. In fact, Jane was fairly comfortable playing the role of “host” for just about any occasion. When Jane made friends, she made true and lasting friendships. Later in life, she became friends with Rosemarie Estrema, Kaye D'Elia, Rose Compagna, Edith Bertuglia, Kay Keller, Mary Nesbit, Ingaborg Fagan, and Phyllis Stamenga.

Jane was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call her sentimental and a romantic at heart. Her kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around her. Jane cared for what others thought and carried that into her marriage. Compassionate and devoted, Jane worked hard to make her new life partner happy.

Harmony was important to Jane and she made every effort to maintain it with her family. Jane was blessed with one child, Valerie. They were also blessed with two grandsons, Dustin and Steven Miller. Jane was always conscious of the feelings others had. She was reasonable and understanding. As a result, Jane was quick to solve disputes and did so without much fuss. Her secret of success in this area was simple: Jane would listen before she would act.

Taking her work seriously came naturally to Jane, and she expected the same from those around her. Jane was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. She was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in her good communication skills. Jane was a steady worker, one who was realistic about schedules. The kind of details that would give family members and work colleagues fits were situations that Jane handled well. She could understand the details without getting lost in the broad “big picture.” Her primary occupation was clerical worker. She brought harmony to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues.

A methodical woman, Jane enjoyed spending time working on her various hobbies. She had no problem following all of the steps and instructions on a given project and was proud of the fact that she could have something to show for her efforts. Her favorite pursuits were embroidery, needle point and almost any arts and crafts. She also did some sewing when Valerie was young. She also did some painting, the first oil painting was of poppies in a vase.

Her keen interest in things that affected the lives of other people led Jane to become actively involved in professional and community organizations. Because she was outgoing and worked well with others, Jane did her fair share of volunteer work. And she wouldn’t shy away from taking the lead on committees or events, either. She was a born list maker and was great at creating and sticking to schedules. Throughout her later years, Jane was an active member and president of the PTA, president of the auxiliary of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church and Girl Scout of America.

Jane was the kind of person who would readily move into action in order to help others. She was appreciated and respected. She could find value in the opinions of others and was passionate about her own values and beliefs. So it’s little wonder that she was active and highly valued by those in her community, serving on committees for the Holiday Bazaar at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church for many years. It was always quite successful.

Her high moral standards and traditional values served Jane well with her faith. Religion and faith were important to her. She was a member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church for over 30 years. During that time, she was very involved in hospitality, volunteering at the thrift store, and helping with food donations for St. Lawrence Chapel. She was well respected because she was such an outgoing individual who sought to help in any manner she could.

Not only did Jane enjoy traveling, but she also seemed to enjoy planning all of those trips and vacations. She was a facilitator who could easily make up a near perfect schedule of all of the things to do and see. She rarely tired of going back and revisiting her favorite places. Favorite vacations included Cruising all over, a trip to Italy in 1999 with her brothers Mike and Joe and sister Rosalie. She also took a trip to Grand Canyon. She always wanted to go to Las Vegas, but did not get to go.

Jane was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Trixie, a little white terrier mix, who was a best friend for 17 years. Her family was rounded out by her German Shepard named Shep and a little black dog named Smokey, which she and Mike had when they got married in 1952.

Since it was easy for Jane to meet and get to know new people, she quickly made friends, even in retirement. Once she met those new friends, she loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days. Since she was practical and cost effective, Jane was ready when that day to retire finally came in "too soon" that's what she always said 1989. Her new life involved relocating to south Florida in Pompano Beach, from Copiague, New york. In retirement, she found new pleasure in arts and crafts and spending as much time as possible with her grandsons Steven and Dustin. Even in retirement, Jane stayed in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities that retirement offered her.

Jane passed away on December 18, 2012 at North Broward Hospital in Deerfield Beach, FL. Due to Jane's health problems caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other health issues compromised her life. She is survived by her daughter Valerie Dene Miller, grandsons Steven and Dustin Miller, granddaughter Eileen Collazo Miller and great grand children Giavanna Rose Miller whom is named after her, Stiphenee Flores and Juan Collazo. Services were held at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. Jane was laid to rest in Boynton Beach Memorial Gardens in Boynton Beach, FL.

Jane was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever she said something, she meant it. Jane was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. She was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. She was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember her for most is the fact that she was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life she touched will miss Jane Dene.