Jane Simmons Wiltse

Born April 1, 1918 in Binghamton, NY, Jane is the daughter of the late James Rogers (Agnes) Simmons and Elsie Marie Bowen Simmons. She was the oldest of her predeceased siblings Anna (Harry) Mattson, Sarah “Sally” (Robert) Bushnell, James Simmons, and Helen (Walter) Myott. Jane was the wife of the late Lawrence L. Wiltse, the love of her life, to whom she was married for 53 years.

After living in Newark Valley, NY for 84 years, Jane moved to New Oxford, PA in 2002 to reside at the Brethren Home in Cross Keys. She moved to Hanover, PA in 2008 and then relocated to Hope Mills, NC in 2017. She was a short-term resident at The Crossings at Wayside, and peacefully passed away on March 11, 2020 at Highland House in Raeford, NC where she had been a resident since 2019.

Jane graduated from Newark Valley Central School District in 1937 and Cornell University in 1939 with a degree in Home Economics. She was a secretary for the Newark Valley Central School District for 15 years.

Jane’s servant heart allowed her many volunteer opportunities. A lifetime, charter member of the Newark Valley Historical Society, Jane served as treasurer and docent at the Bement-Billings Farmstead. Jane and Larry delivered Meals on Wheels together in the Newark Valley, NY area for years. She served as officer and ombudsman for Area Agency on Aging and several nursing homes in the Southern Tier of NY. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Masonic Lodge #265) since 1941 in Newark Valley, NY. Jane was an active member of Newark Valley United Methodist Church for 75 years. She volunteered in the Beehive Gift Shop at the Brethren Home in New Oxford and thoroughly enjoyed her Red Hat Society friends and gatherings there. She is a member of Emory United Methodist Church, New Oxford, PA.

Jane is survived by her “favorite” son, David Wiltse and wife Sue of Hope Mills, NC and her “favorite” daughter, Barbara Morris-Thomson and husband Walter of Raeford, NC. She is also survived by 3 stepbrothers Fred (Lorali) Bailey, Ed (Sue) Bailey, and Ted (Barbara) Bailey, as well as several nieces and nephews. Jane’s legacy lives on in her grandchildren: Kirk (Michelle) Adelsberger and Jodi (Dennis) Dillman all of Mt. Juliet, TN; Stacey (Scott) Forth of Valencia, CA; Tammy (Matt) Dostal of Chandler, AZ; Gordon Wiltse of Cartage, NY; Larissa Wiltse of Black River, NY; and her great grandchildren: Kevin, Kelley, Konnor, Emma, Elsie, Elijah, Elliana, Ericellie, Margaret, Peyton, Olivia, and Caroline.

Affectionately known as sweet Ms. Jane, she was a wise woman who always spoke the truth and wanted nothing but the best for everyone. When asked the secret to living so long, she responded, “Take life one day at a time, through the good and the bad, and just do your best with what God gives you!” She would also want you to know that “you done good” and that she loves you muchly!

Graveside service will be held May 30, 2020 at 9am in Hope Cemetery, Main St., Newark Valley, NY. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Newark Valley Historical Society, PO Box 222, Newark Valley, NY 13811.