Lillie Jane Morefield

Jane Morefield passed away January 19, 2021. She was 84. Jane was a loving, devoted wife, mother of 2 and 'Mema' to 4, as well as being a warm and endearing friend to so many. Her heart was open, the front door never locked and there was always a room or a couch for visitors to stay. Whether it was bridge parties, sing-alongs or chatting on the porch with neighbors, Jane loved to socialize. She knew no strangers.

Beneath Jane’s friendly, gracious nature beat the heart of a champion. She was always fair, honest, and loved a good competition. It started with her family's Pinochle games then led to his and hers trophy shelves when she joined Dennis in league bowling. Jane’s 3 favorite weekend getaways were Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Las Vegas but her ultimate competition was Bridge.

Jane joined her first Bridge Club in Tulare, falling in love with the game instantly. She adored her bridge groups counting each of her bridge friends among her best. Her weeks to host club were also tinged with competition. Jane endlessly searched for inventive snacks and homemade treats to impress and please her ladies. She was considered a master-level player.

Jane also possessed the heart of an artist. At age 54, she dedicated herself to learning oil painting. For the next 25 years, she voraciously created dozens of exquisite replica and original canvas paintings decorating the walls across the country. Her home became quite the gallery. All who knocked on her door were given a tour.

Jane was born June 4, 1936 in Du Quoin, IL to Gladys and George Kopp of Elkville. She graduated from Elkville High in 1954 then entered the secretarial pool at the Jackson County Courthouse. Jane met Dennis at the 'Y,' a local teen hangout. They married April 21, 1956 and lived in Elkville until Dennis took a job in Redding, CA in 1959. There, she gave birth to their first son Brian in 1961. They followed Dennis to Tulare where Jane gave birth to their second son Bart in 1963. When Dennis was promoted to Editor in Chief of the Simi Valley Enterprise, she moved the family to the newly incorporated City. From 1970 to 1976, Jane and Dennis were prominent among the young city’s civic and social scenes. They were deeply involved in youth sports with Jane as official scorekeeper while Dennis managed Little League.

Dennis’s career next led Jane and family to Decatur, IL. Jane reveled in being close to home but knew Dennis’s heart remained in California. In 1977 when he accepted a job in Santa Monica, Jane settled the family for good in Agoura Hills. She remained in the house on Meadow Vista Way for 43 years. Jane began a second career with State Farm Regional Headquarters becoming their top word processer and trainer for 20 years before retiring.

Jane and Dennis enjoyed traveling seeing autumn in New England, spring in Charleston, Yellowstone, Hawaii, and historic beauty of Italy. During one late summer road trip through the East Coast, they along with Jane’s sister and brother-in-law became part of worldwide headlines. The foursome rode the Metro train under the Pentagon into Washington, D.C. When they emerged on that 11th day of September, 2001, they learned an airplane had hit the Pentagon. As they would remember it, the City, along with all its bathrooms, completely shut down.

Jane lived independently nine years after Dennis passed. She loved having company. Visits from her grandchildren were most prized. When Jane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she fought it like a champion, living at home longer than anyone expected.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother George Howard Kopp. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Faye Ann and Rev. Jerry Aken of Elkville, son and daughter-in-law Brian and Lori Morefield of Newbury Park, CA, son and daughter-in-law Bart and Joy Morefield of Roseville, CA and her grandchildren Hilary Morefield of Ventura, CA, Aaron Morefield of Newbury Park, CA, Alan Morefield of Irvine, CA and Riley Morefield of Roseville, CA.