Jane Imelda Gugger

Born on September 23, 1927, in Queens, New York, Jane spent most of her life in New Jersey, where she raised her six children: Ellen Krawczuk, Robert Gugger, James Gugger, Thomas Gugger, Stephen Gugger, and Colleen McKenna.

In early 2025, Jane moved to Apex, North Carolina, settling just a block from her daughter Colleen. There, in the final chapter of her long life, she had the gift of family close at hand.

Jane knew Christ Jesus as her Lord and Savior and rested her hope in Him. She kept her Bible close and trusted deeply in the promises of Scripture.

Jane had a strong mind and a gentle way about her. She had a wonderful laugh, a bright smile, and a sweetness that made people want to be near her. Family and friends alike found something especially endearing in her, and the warmth of her company made them naturally and deeply fond of her.

Jane and Robert Gugger share an eternal bond that endures beyond this life. They each came to a saving knowledge of their Lord Jesus Christ and grew in faith alongside one another until his death.

Over the course of her long life, Jane’s family grew far beyond those first six children. She lived to know 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Through the many years they were blessed to have her, Jane gave her family something special and rare: one beloved presence shared across generation after generation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Heffernan and Helen (Atkinson) Heffernan, and her husband, Robert “Joe” Gugger. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mary (Heffernan) Foley, Patsy (Heffernan) Kelly, Martha Heffernan, Cecelia (Heffernan) Tiedeman, and Ruth (Heffernan) Brosnan.

She is survived by her children, Ellen (Gugger) Krawczuk and her husband John Krawczuk, Robert “Rob” Gugger and his wife Li Wang Gugger, James “Jim” Gugger and his wife Mary Lou Gugger, Thomas “Tom” Gugger and his wife Deborah Gugger, Stephen “Steve” Gugger and his wife Suzanne Gugger, and Colleen (Gugger) McKenna and her husband Terrence McKenna. She is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many relatives and friends who loved her.

Nearly ninety-nine years gave Jane the rare blessing of seeing her family flourish across generations. Those who loved her give thanks to God for the many years they were given with her, for the joy and affection she brought into their lives, and most of all for the assurance that the Savior she trusted in life received her into glory. She will be laid to eternal rest beside her beloved husband, Robert “Joe” Gugger.