Longtime Alaskan Jane Cloe, 64, died March 3, 2008, at home in Anchorage
Her death came "on her own terms, in her sleep, during early morning hours, in her bed, in her home, among family and friends, after a long battle with a cruel cancer," her family wrote.
Born Nov. 6, 1943, Jane was raised in Ridgewood, N.J., and spent summers in Harvey Cedars on the Jersey shore. Following graduation from Ridgewood High School, she attended college and worked as a medical technician. She married Martin Slisco, and they and her 14-month-old daughter, Cindy, drove to Anchorage in 1967 where Martin, from an old Alaska family, established a successful dental practice in Anchorage. He died in 1988 when his aircraft crashed on takeoff from Lake Hood. While married to Martin, Jane managed his practice and properties, explored Alaska with him by plane, jeep and boat and spent memorable times in their cabin. They were blessed to have an audience with the Pope in the Vatican.
Jane, a cradle Episcopalian, was an active member St. Mary's Episcopal Church. She served on the vestry, became a Stephen minister, completed the four-year Education for Ministry program and founded a widows support group and a singles group, and initiated the greeters program. She traveled extensively during this period of her life, ran marathons, rode her mountain bike, cross-country skied, gardened, golfed, picked berries, hiked the trails in the Chugach, collected antiques, and founded a book club and a Bible study group. She became an avid photographer with local, statewide and national shows. She was a member of Alaska Photographic Center and took extensive photographs during her travels in China, Egypt, Great Britain, Greece, Mexico, Turkey, Russia, Japan, Vietnam and Yugoslavia.
Jane met John Cloe in Cay's Room at St. Mary's, named after John's late wife, who also died of cancer. They began dating in late 1993, and John proposed to her during Christmas Eve services at St. Mary's in 1994. They were married in June 1995 and spent their honeymoon floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, where they survived being thrown into a Class 5 rapid. Jane continued her activities, spent time with John at their cabin, frequently visited her daughter and family in Seattle, went on cruises with them and traveled with John in his quest to reach the highest point in each of the states.
Jane had a passion for life and deeply loved her daughter, son-in-law and their two sons. Her two grandsons were the pride of her life. One of her greatest desires was to see them graduate from college and grow into manhood. She loved gardening, traveling, reading and spending quiet time at her cabin, and she was noted for her hats, shoes and purses. She was deeply religious. She bore the years of her final cancer, supported by family and an extensive network of friends, with dignity and great bravery.
In addition to the photographic and other groups, Jane was an active member in Chapter J, PEO, an organization dedicated to funding scholarships for young women. Women were her special ministry. Jane was recently inducted into the Diocese of Alaska's Order of St. Simeon and St. Anna for her work and love of her church.
Jane is survived by her husband, John; daughter, Cindy, and son-in-law, Dan; grandsons, Lucas and Tyler Ryynanen; and siblings Jim Bulkley, Gail Meincke and Diane Crone.
She requested that donations be made to the St. Mary's garden fund.
Arrangements are with Evergreen Memorial