Jane Casson

Jane Casson

November 23, 1936 – January 7, 2025

Jane Cutter Coolidge Casson, 88, died peacefully in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 7, 2025.   She was born in Lawrence, Kansas on November 23, 1936, the daughter of Marion and Mildred Coolidge.  Preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 59 years, John Casson; her son C. Joe Casson; her parents; brothers Charles and Richard Coolidge; and sister Pamela Garrett.   Left to cherish her life and memory are her four daughters:   Laurian (David) Lytle of Leawood, KS; Julienne (David) Fritz of Lee’s Summit, MO; Leslie (Joel) VanderVeen of Omaha, NE; Jill (James) Owen of Tucson, AZ; 17 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A graduate of Emporia High School, Jane continued her education studying Home Economics at the University of Kansas, where she became a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. While at KU, she met and married the love of her life, John. After graduation, the couple moved to Topeka, Kansas, where they lived for 55 years and raised a family.

Jane was a dedicated wife, mother, friend, and volunteer. She lived a life of service through P.E.O. (where she was recently recognized for seven decades of membership), the Topeka Junior League, Grace Episcopal Cathedral and other organizations, volunteering for over 70 years. Her generosity, dedication, and unwavering kindness left a lasting impact on her community and the many lives she touched.

Rooted in the values of her upbringing and nurtured by summers at Camp Minne-Wonka, Jane embraced the simple things in life like family and friends, including cherished, life-long childhood friends Dona Seacat and Carol Wood, numerous college friends, and those cultivated during her adult years. Jane was a consummate homemaker and was focused on cooking healthy long before it became the standard for healthy living. She was a classical pianist, well-read and well-spoken, often editing her children’s compositions and speeches.

Jane radiated a deep beauty through her graceful smile and unsurpassed ability to listen.  It was never about her, but always about the person to whom she was listening. Most people who left her presence felt uplifted by her simple gift of listening and her wisdom from a life well-lived. Throughout her life, Jane exuded warmth, friendliness and gratitude, always taking the time and care to learn names and thank others for things done for her, no matter how little or big.

Beyond her family and faith, Jane’s greatest passions were books and her pets. Her animals, in return, were utterly devoted to her.  She rescued and cared for more pets than we can count, and most likely was greeted with a posse of furry bodies and wet noses pressed against the gates of heaven.

As the last living member of her immediate family, that circle is now complete and whole again in heaven. For those still here, she leaves an overwhelming legacy of love and kindness.

Services will be held Friday, March 28,10:30 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Cathedral with a reception immediately following at Topeka Country Club, Topeka, KS.

Memorials may be made to the Jane Coolidge Casson Fund through the P.E.O. Foundation (https://bit.ly/JaneCoolidgeCassonFund – select donation to P.E.O. Foundation and then select the Jane Coolidge Casson Fund. The P.E.O. chapter is GJ/Topeka), your local animal shelter, or to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her husband John.