Obituary of Jane Ann Richards

Jane Ann (Nash) Richards, 72, passed into eternal life on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Akron General Medical Center. Jane was born April 2, 1938 in Ravenna, OH to Albert and Viola (Shirtliff) Nash. She grew up in Kent and graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1955. Jane played trombone in the Rough Rider band and was the class secretary. She graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor's degree in Educational Media in 1979 after attending night school for many years. From there, she continued at Kent State University and received her Master's of Library Science degree in 1982. She began her working life at Ohio Bell in the early 1960's and also worked for Kelly Temporary Services as a "Kelly Girl" for several years. She started her public school teaching career as a library aide at Betty Jane Elementary School in Akron and was there from 1974-1979. While there she helped to organize the first union for paraprofessionals in the Akron City Schools under OAPSE. After completing her teacher certification in 1979, she began working in the Medina City Schools at Garfield Elementary School as their media specialist. Later she also taught at Fenn Elementary in Medina. She retired from Medina City Schools after more than thirty years of teaching in 2004. During her career she was very active with the Ohio Elementary Library Media Association (OELMA) and since her retirement has been an active member of the Summit County Retired Media Specialists. She moved to Akron in 1959 after her marriage to Thomas Jay Richards. They divorced in 1979, but she continued living in Akron until her death. Her hobbies included scrapbooking pictures of her grandsons and her travels, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and reading. Where ever she went, she always had her bag of knitting and a book to read. She gained great enjoyment from all of her travels. In her lifetime she went on over 50 cruises and traveled to New Zealand, Peru, Norway, Finland, Greece, Turkey , Russia, India, Hawaii and Alaska, just to name a few. She loved traveling with her grandchildren and had four special trips to New York City with Jackson. Her only regret was that she never got to go to Antarctica. Jane was a member of North Hill Methodist Church for over 20 years and found great comfort in her faith in her final days on earth. Jane is survived by her children Timothy of Akron and Melanie (David Jarvis)of Columbus, OH; four grandsons, Benjamin Probert, Brandon Richards, Jackson Richards-Jarvis and Joshua Richards-Jarvis; special great-nephew, Tyler Richards; brother and sister-in-law James and Shirley Nash; sister and brother-in-law Joan and Donald Stryffeler; nieces Kathy Einhorn, Susan Richards and Traci Winters and nephews Mark Richards and Donald Nash; great-nephews Sean Chickos and Nathan Winters and great-niece Abby Winters; cousins Dick and Nancy Moser, John and Lynn Bowen; and her dear friend Carmen Oyenque. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Viola Nash and nephews Gerald "Butch" Richards, Jr. and David Richards. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, June 23 from 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. at the McGowan-Reid and Santos Chapel, 247 Stow Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, Oh 44221. Casual beach attire is requested at the calling hours. A celebration of Jane's life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 1 p.m. and family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please choose someone that you know that needs a helping hand and give until it hurts. Tell them it was from your friend Jane. Private graveside service will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent, OH. Special thanks to her lifelong friend Reverend Dave Maly and the nurses, doctors and staff of the 4^th floor at Akron General Medical Center for their kindness and compassion. A bumper sticker that Jane used to have on her car summed up her life philosophy: "Life's A Beach!"