Jane Ann Williams, age 65, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024 at her home in St. Louis, Missouri with family and friends by her side. Jane was born in Pinckneyville, Illinois on September 14,1958 and although not readily apparent, she entered this world with multiple congenital disorders that affected her health throughout her life. 

During her childhood, Jane spent many fun weekends camping with her family including aunts, uncles and cousins. Jane was in the Pinckneyville High School band and even performed for President Gerald Ford in 1976. Summers were spent riding her bike to the city swimming pool and working on her tan. 

Perhaps because of all of the medical treatments when she was young, Jane became a Candy Striper volunteer at the local hospital in her teen years. This experience sparked a desire to enter the nursing profession. After high school graduation she attended Barnes School of Nursing and eventually achieved a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Webster University. For 31 years she was employed by Barnes Hospital with many of the years spent treating patients in the bone marrow transplant program. 

During these years she treated everyone from young cancer patients to world famous athletes.  Jane’s last 14 years of employment were spent working for Mercy Hospice where she embraced the end of life care with compassion. Jane’s nursing skills did not go unnoticed. Based on recommendations from patients, families and co-workers she was awarded the Daisy Award. 

Although Jane lived in St. Louis, she never lost her love for her hometown of Pinckneyville and returned as often as possible for the annual Mardis Gras celebration in October. 

As an animal lover, Jane adopted many “fur children” over the years including cats, Sam and Harry, and dogs, Bing, Buttons, Charlie and Cooper. She loved following dogs on Facebook and Instagram, especially Great Danes and Dachshunds. While most people were watching football on Super Bowl Sunday, Jane was tuned in to the Puppy Bowl on TV. 

Jane loved watching sports on television, especially her beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Many fun bets were placed between Jane and her nephews when the St. Louis Blues were up against the Minnesota Wild in the NHL. 

Jane leaves behind her sister, Mary Miller and husband, Bob from Worthington, Minnesota and her nephews, Zachary Miller (Tracey), New Hope, MN; Matthew Miller (Marji), Delano, MN and Timothy Miller (Erica), Buffalo, MN. Also great nieces and nephews, Evelyn, Jack, Henry, Max and Rosie and a special friend, Eric Royston. 

Preceding Jane in death were her parents, Donald (Buck) and Daisy Williams and grandparents Ernie and Mary Williams, and John and Inez Hunter.

Jane overcame many health hurdles over the years but the last few months were more than her body could handle. In the end (as she had done many times with others) she referred herself to Mercy Hospice. The love and care that she received from her co-workers was nothing short of amazing. Jane was truly a VIP with them. 

Jane’s time in hospice was short but it allowed her to be comfortable and in her own home prior to her death. Per Jane’s request, no service will be held. Memorials in Jane’s honor can be made to Mercy Hospice at Mercy Health Foundation, 615 S. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141.