Jane F. Hess, 89, of Chazy, N.Y., passed away peacefully on July 29th, 2024, at her home surrounded by loved ones. Jane was born in Plattsburgh on June 9, 1935, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Saxe) Fulton. She graduated from Chazy Central Rural School (CCRS) in 1953, and received her Bachelors Degree in Music as an Organ Major from Skidmore College.
Jane met her future husband, Wendell T. Hess at a Methodist Summer Camp in the Green Mountains of Vermont when they were both in high school. They fell in love, married on June 16, 1956, at the Chazy Methodist Church, and raised a family of three children. After moves to Massena, N.Y., and Watertown, Mass., they finally settled on Wood Lane in Acton, Mass.
A major part of Jane's life was music. She was organist for Acton Congregational Church for 16 years. She also sang with the Masterworks chorale and taught weekly piano lessons throughout the school year. Upon Wendell's retirement, they moved up to Chazy to the house on the lake where she grew up. After 40 years of marriage, Wendell passed away in 1996.
Jane's involvement in music continued after the move back to Chazy. This included singing with the Champlain Valley Voices (formerly the Champlain Valley Oratorio Society), playing the organ and directing the choir for the Chazy Presbyterian Church, and playing the piano for the CCRS graduation ceremonies. A special treat was attending the Gibson Brothers concerts in the Chazy School auditorium. Jane was also a longtime member of the American Guild of Organists.
Jane was an avid reader, enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, growing vegetables in her garden, watching movies (Star Wars a favorite), and watching UConn Women's Basketball. Jane also loved horses. Each year she followed the Triple Crown horse races, and when she could, visited the Saratoga race track with her sister, Susan, and Susan's family.
Jane was also a frequent volunteer during her later years in Chazy. This included the CCRS alumni committee, Friends of the Chazy Library, Red Hatters, Presbyterian Women's Group, and being a docent for the Rockwell-Kent collection at SUNY-Plattsburgh.
Jane is survived by daughter Karen and her husband Ralph Blanchard of East Granby, Conn., daughter JoAnne and her husband Nick Facendola of Derry, N.H., and her son Rob Hess and his wife Monica Keefe-Hess of Eastham, Mass. Jane is also survived by eight grandchildren (Linda, Derek, Scott and Kevin Blanchard, Jennifer Facendola and Jackie Teach and Jackie's husband Kyle Teach, and Ciara and Anya Hess and Anya's husband Ercan Aktas), two step grandchildren (Brendan and Kay Hamaty), two nieces and one nephew.
Jane was predeceased by her husband, her parents, brother (Robert Fulton), and sister (Susan VanVranken).
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, 11 a.m., at the Chazy Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery in Chazy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Chazy Presbyterian Church (CPC), PO Box 548, Chazy, NY 12921, or the Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY, ATTN: Fund Department, 8 Mountain View Ave., Albany, NY 12205 in memory of Jane Hess. To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit www.rwwalkerfh.com.