Jane Vetter King's Obituary
Jane Vetter King, age 86, born February 26, 1937, to the late George and Grace Vetter in Pittsburgh, PA, died peacefully, surrounded by family - and lots of chocolate - on June 10, 2023 in Fort Myers, FL. She was raised in Penn Township (Pittsburgh) and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1954 and Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA in 1958 with a BS degree in business education. On April 30, 1960 she married Donald J. King, a family friend and college sweetheart who became a devoted husband for 57 years. She taught at Pierce Business School in Philadelphia a number of years before being blessed with two wonderful children.
Her greatest fulfillment and joy was raising a daughter and son and being a homemaker when her husband was transferred to Myerstown, PA, for 17 years, Jacksonville, IL for 10 years, Lincoln, NE for 10 years, and NYC for 2 years before his retirement. They then built a home in Cape Coral, FL where they spent October thru mid-June. Guests to Cape Coral were frequent, as friends and family alike always felt welcomed by Jane’s warm, generous, and inviting nature. Summer months found them at their condo in Frisco, CO enjoying the mountains, 4th of July parades, many festivals, and NRO concerts in Breckenridge. She loved being with her family and always kept in touch with many friends from school days and the various communities in which they lived.
Following the loss of her husband, in 2017, Jane moved into Cypress Cove in Fort Myers, FL, where she immediately set out to make new friends, enjoying the new relationships, and always enjoying time spent with new and old friends alike in the dining room. Jane could make a meal last longer than anyone, and she always scoped out the dessert table before deciding what to order for dinner. “Life is short – eat dessert first” could accurately describe Jane’s food love-language.
Her generosity was a hallmark of her personality – whether it was with her time, her undivided attention and interest in connecting with people, her generosity of kindness and caring, or with her finances, Jane’s generosity is an inspiration to us all, and a constant reminder of what’s really important in life.
She is survived by loving children and grandchildren, Diana (Alan), John and Elizabeth Anick (Highlands Ranch, CO), Steve (Sherry), Sarah (Keene, NH), and Miles King (Lombard, IL), sister Margaret Shields, Marcellus, NY, 6 nephews and 2 nieces.
Two Celebration of Life services are planned. The first will be held Friday, July 7, 2023 at 2pm at Lexington Country Club, 16257 Willowcrest Way, Fort Myers, FL, 33908.
The second Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Myerstown United Church of Christ, 306 W Main Ave, Myerstown, PA 17067. Service at 11am, with lunch served at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Chapel of Cypress Cove, Attn: Rev. Ted Althouse, 10200 Cypress Cove Drive, Fort Myers FL 33908, or donations in memory of Jane V. King to Kids Minds Matter at Lee Health by visiting www.LeeHealthFoundation.org/Donate or by check c/o Lee Health Foundation, (Memo: Kids Minds Matter) P.O. Box 2218, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
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