Jane Kay Sullivan

Jane Kay Stauffer Sullivan died peacefully at her home in Fort Collins, Colorado on March 30, 2026 after an extended illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Herma Stauffer, her older sister Judy Seipp, her nephew John Seipp, great nephew Stephen Seipp, and her beloved husband, Doug Sullivan, who died in 2005.

She leaves behind a long list of family and friends who loved her and miss her so very much.

Jane was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the youngest of three girls, at the end of May in what family lore described as a blizzard. Fitting, given that it was springtime in Wyoming!

On October 3, 1969, she married Douglas Howard Sullivan, truly the love of her life. They spent most of their time together, in both work and leisure activities, so much so that “JaneandDoug” usually came out as one word when others referred to them. They were enthusiastic golfers and members of the Fort Collins Country Club for years. Jane was always happy to tell you about her holes-in-one! During their travels, they golfed at special courses along the way. Perhaps their favorite were the ones in Hawaii, which they played on numerous occasions. Doug loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle with Jane securely ensconced right behind him. They took multiple trips with friends on excursions around the United States, returning with some pretty wild stories! They were practically regulars at the Sturgis motorcycle rally each August in South Dakota. And Jane, being Jane, had a closet full of what she called her “biker chick” outfits. The outfits are no surprise to those who knew her because Jane loved to dress up. If an event called for a costume, she eagerly participated. She wasn’t one to feel self-conscious or fear looking silly. If she needed to dress as Sonny of Sonny and Cher, or one of the Blues Brothers, well she pulled it off. There are photos!

Jane wore countless hats in her life, giving each experience her passion and drive. She graduated from East High School in Cheyenne. She earned degrees from Regis University in Denver and the University of Phoenix. She later taught business classes for Regis University; she worked for Frontier Airlines in food service, creating menus. She and Doug formed Career Dimensions, a business consulting company where Jane primarily handled the administrative side of the business.

When Jane liked something, it became a passion, and she had more than a few. Perhaps topping the list was exercise, notably aerobics. She and Doug moved from Denver to Fort Collins so that she could enroll in the Health and Exercise Science Department at Colorado State University, where she earned a Master’s Degree. For years she taught very popular aerobics classes at Pulse (now Raintree Athletic Club) in Fort Collins, and had a fiercely loyal following. It wasn’t unusual at social events for Jane to spontaneously break into a dance move, bend over to touch her toes or demonstrate a few high kicks.

Jane loved dancing. Her music of choice was rock and roll, especially from the fifties and early sixties. She took advantage of every opportunity to dance. She hosted summer parties in her backyard complete with a dance floor and live band. She created Dancing with the Stars in Fort Collins as a fundraiser for Canyon Concert Ballet, where she and her dance partner Chris McCullough won the first year with a jive dance to Great Balls of Fire. This girl loved to dance! She also adored watching and supporting professional ballet.

Jane was a generous supporter not only of dance, but the arts in general. She supported the Fort Collins Symphony, The Fort Collins Museum of Art, Colorado State University, and many Colorado and national artists. When she and Doug found a piece of art they liked on one of their motorcycle trips, friends asked how they got the artwork back home. Jane would beam her signature smile and say, “we ship it!”

Jane especially loved glass. She learned to fuse glass and spent happy hours at local artist Kathi Dougherty’s glass studio, creating art for her home and gifts for friends and family. She and her sister Jean ventured into making contemporary glass mosaic art as Two Sisters Mosaics. Cutting and gluing glass, talking, laughing and singing along to Jerry Lee Lewis and others was a great way to spend an afternoon!

Jane had the gift of keeping plants not only alive, but thriving. Her homes, inside and out were full of gorgeous, green and blooming plants. She generously opened her gardens for summer parties, the weddings of dear friends and family, and gatherings for a variety of Fort Collins non-profits.

Throughout their marriage and continuing after Doug’s death, dogs were an important part of her family. They were her fur babies; her doggies. She had a soft spot for all animals, and served on the board of directors of the Larimer Humane Society (now NOCO Humane.)

With Jane’s death, the Fort Collins community has lost a bit of sparkle. On some summer evening when the air is thick with the scent of honeysuckle and roses, if you listen closely, you may just be lucky enough to hear the syncopated roar of a Harley Davidson accompanied by the back beat of rock and roll music. You will know that it is Jane and Doug passing through on their way to the next great adventure.

Rest in peace Janey. You are loved and dearly missed.