Jane Guthrie Auchter

February 26, 1932 – March 31, 2022

Jane Guthrie Auchter, 90, passed away on Thursday, March 31st, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. She was preceded in death by her loving husband John F. Auchter with whom she shared 66 years of marriage and by her brother John D. “Jack” Guthrie. Jane is survived by her seven children: Kathleen A. Leighton, David J. Auchter (Lee), Kenneth A. Auchter (Linda), Ronald A. Auchter (Claire), Joseph A. Auchter, Dorothy A. Mays (Bill) Sandra A. Barber (Tim), twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jane is also survived by her sisters Genevieve Kaufman and Mary Jo Michalski.

Born in Douglas, Arizona, Jane was the eldest child of parents John Dudley Guthrie and Alice (Kennedy) Guthrie. She majored in Journalism at Texas Western College, now the University of Texas El Paso, graduating in 1953. During college, at a Chi Omega sorority party, she met and began a brief relationship with a newly commissioned U.S. Army officer John F. Auchter who was stationed at Fort Bliss. They had a total of 8 dates before John shipped out to active duty in Pusan, Korea; their relationship would continue via airmail letters.

And what letters they were! Jane and John exchanged 56 transpacific love letters deepening their relationship. Within two weeks of returning to the U.S. John drove from New Jersey to Texas to propose to Jane on July 16, 1953. Once stateside, the letter writing continued between Texas and New Jersey for sum-total of 256 letters up until one week before their wedding day on June 19th, 1954. Over half a century later, Jane and John revisited and chronicled each of the 265 letters in their self-published book, “Love All Ways.” It is an invaluable treasure for their children to read and hear their parents’ voices as they fell in love mostly through the written word.

Jane and John’s first home together was in Philadelphia; John’s work soon led them to Northern Ohio where they shared homes in Avon Lake, Fairview Park, and Hudson. In Ohio, they embarked on a 14-year adventure from 1956-68 with a child being born every two years until their family of nine was complete. Jane was a dedicated mother and a supportive wife. After Ohio, Jane did the leg-work of packing up all the children, entire households, setting up a multitude of new homes from coast to coast and many places in between including Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Palo Alto, CA; Austin, TX; Tampa and Orlando, FL. Throughout it all, she was the one who planned, organized, drove, delegated and got the job done via sheer force of will!

Jane was a fabulous cook and loved to host and entertain. Dinner parties, St. Patrick’s Day parties, Election Day parties, Derby Day parties, Bridge Club, Book Club, Marriage Encounter and on and on. She hosted a party on 9/9/99 just for the fun of it and instructed guests to come “dressed to the nines!”

Jane maintained her love of writing, creating many essays, writing for newsletter publications and composing long letters to family and friends. She acted as a “first-read” editor for novels written by two of her children. She was a determined researcher of genealogy for both her and John’s families and wrote extensive biographies that gave voice to relatives long since quiet. She passed along stories of each and every ancestor that she knew (or knew of) to ensure their stories remain in the hearts of family.

Jane loved to travel. Along with John, they visited more than 30 states and 20 countries over the decades. At the end of most excursions, Jane would write travel logs and copy photos to bring her travels to life for her children.

Jane Auchter leaves a strong legacy of love and fond memories for all who knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church 1501 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando. Burial at 1:00pm at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest along with John. A celebration of both Jane and John’s lives to follow at the home of Dorothy & Bill Mays. Jane LOVED hosting grand parties and we will honor her and make her proud with one of those - all are welcome!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jane’s memory to the Diphine Education Center. Checks can be made to Dominican Friars Kenya & mailed to: Sandy Barber 5943 Shadow Creek Dr. Westerville, Ohio 43082