Jane Reese

Jane S. Reese, 83, of Alexandria, VA passed away peacefully on July 6 after a brief illness. Jane was born on March 31, 1941 to Robert and Caroline Sullivan (née Horst) in Reading, PA. After graduating from the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury CT, she studied political science and received a BA from Smith College in 1963. After graduation, she worked first on Capitol Hill and then in North Carolina, where she worked at the North Carolina Fund registering African-Americans to vote. In 1965 she married David J. Reese II, and later earned a law degree at Catholic University, after which she practiced law for many years with Ross, Marsh, and Foster in Alexandria. After retiring from her law practice, she devoted a large portion of her energies to maintaining and preserving the family Christmas tree farm, a beloved Reading institution. She also retained her interest in civil rights and politics, and remained dedicated to social justice. A generous patron of the arts, she was a particularly enthusiastic supporter of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington Opera. She had a large circle of friends who will miss her dearly, including a group of Smith College alumnae who met for reunions regularly. She is survived by David Reese, her devoted and loving husband of 59 years, her brother and sisters George Sullivan, Sue McCain, and Peg McShane, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her honor to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America or the American Civil Liberties Union.