Jane M. Kelley, a former librarian on St. Croix for 45 years, transitioned into eternal life on Sept. 15, 2023, in her home in Bloomington, Minn. Jane last spent the early months of 2020 on St. Croix, a difficult time due to COVID-19. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2022 and spent the last two years of her life living with her sister, Kathryn Kelley, and Kathryn’s partner of 24 years, John Breitkreutz.
Jane first came to St. Croix after college in 1968. She worked as the librarian at St. Joseph’s High School. After two years, she left St. Croix to get her Master’s in Library Science. She returned fully prepared to give the children of St. Croix excitement for the value of a library. Jane served in the public and school libraries until retirement in 2015.
She lived in Frederiksted until hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed her home. She chose St. Croix because it spoke to her heart.
Jane loved her students and the warmth not only of the weather but of the people. Also, her caring extended to stray animals in need. One could see Jane stop on the side of the road to give aid to a stray animal in distress. Her kindness was ever-present.
Jane is preceded in death by her brother, Tom Kelley, who passed on Aug. 15, 2018. She is survived by Tom’s wife, Judy Kelley, and their four children, their four spouses and their six grandchildren; and sister, Kathryn, who lives with John in Minnesota and their four sons, four spouses and six grandchildren (and two spouses of two of those grandchildren) and their four great-grandchildren.
She has been a practicing Buddhist with Soko Gakkai International (SGI) since the late 1970s. When her physician, Dr. Cora Christian, introduced her to the philosophy. Jane’s world was greatly expanded by her chanting, a practice for oneself and others. It is a wonderful practice that emphasizes the inner potential to achieve enlightenment and the goal of world peace by chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.”
Members of Soko Gakkai International will chant at Jane’s Celebration of Life on March 9, 2024, starting at 4 p.m. on the beach in Frederiksted next to Cottages by the Sea.
Please join us and participate in the candlelight ceremony of lanterns. Jane’s sister, Kathryn, will bring pictures of Jane and her family in the States to share.
