Jane Way

Jane K. Way (born November 7, 1936, in Huntingdon, PA), of Penn Hills, died on August 17, 2021. She was the daughter of Dr. Edwin E. Way and Mae Ellenberger Way. She attended Earlham College, Richmond, IN, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Nursing School with a B.S. in nursing. She worked as a public health nurse in Allegheny County and as a medical missionary during two assignments in the former Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1960-1963 and 1966-1967. There she learned to speak the local Shona language and supervised nursing in six rural clinics. She was one of the first medical professionals to inoculate patients with the Salk Polio vaccine when it was first made available to the public.

She became a pediatric nurse practitioner and conducted well baby exams. She continued to show her love of children during her many years as a Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, where she was a member for over 60 years. She was a tireless and inspiring member of that church, serving in many roles (including playing in the bell choir and as a member of the Caring Friends who provided comfort to shut-in and ailing members). Her deep faith and spiritual practices provided inspiration to many. After her official retirement from nursing, she volunteered with the Stephen Ministry in Pittsburgh, which provides one-on-one Christ-centered compassion to people in the community who are suffering life difficulties. She enjoyed caring for her cats, bird watching, gardening, and camping. She will be missed by her large network of friends and by her surviving sister, Susan Way, of Cleveland Heights, OH. Her inurnment will take place at the Memorial Garden at First United Methodist Church, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh.

A service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, at 1:30 p.m. on September 25, followed outside at approximately 2:00 by inurnment in the church’s memorial garden and a light meal on the lawn. Extensive COVID prevention measures will be observed inside the sanctuary, and the church attempts to offer maximum protection to older and immune-compromised persons and young children who are not able to be vaccinated by requiring that masks be worn except when attendees are actively eating.