Jane Chandler

Born March 29,1950, in Bayonne, NJ, she was the only daughter born to Joseph and Florence Pukstas and is survived by her three brothers: Daniel Pukstas, his wife Nancy, and their children Kate and Nick; brother Christopher Pukstas, his wife Barbara, and their children Kim, Karrie, and David; and her youngest brother Joe Pukstas, his wife Barbara, and their children Ann, Laura, Molly, and John.

Jane graduated in 1972 from Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, where she played on the celebrated 1971-1972 women’s basketball team, which would later be inducted into the 33rd Saint Peter’s Athletics Hall of Fame for its winning records and long-lasting positive impact on the women’s basketball program. Upon graduation, she spent her early career teaching, primarily mathematics. Jane settled in Red Bank, NJ, with her former husband, William Chandler (predeceased). Later, she would launch her own private consulting business to help improve student test score performance in communities all over New Jersey.

Her life was unexpectedly interrupted by a brain aneurysm, which caused her to spend many months in a coma. Though the odds were against her, she fought her way back and was able to live an independent life. She enjoyed living by the shore and liked to spend summers crabbing with her family by day and, by night, host boisterous card games with “high stakes bets” of twenty-five cents. A life-long animal lover, Jane was a proud dog-mom to a succession of adored—if not slightly spoiled—dogs, including Teddy, Midnight, Sammy, Barnaby, Rocky, and Cashew (all predeceased).

Jane’s family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the residents of Cornerstone at Stafford who appreciated her quick laugh, and who were always available if Jane needed a cup of sugar or an extra hand.

A funeral mass is scheduled for 12:30 pm on Saturday, September 27, at St. Mary’s Parish, 747 West Bay Avenue in Barnegat, NJ. In lieu of flowers, mourners are kindly asked to make a donation to Monmouth County SPCA: https://monmouthcountyspca.org/

To leave online condolences and fond memories of Jane for the family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com

Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.