Obituary: Jane Chase Jennings

Jane Chase Jennings 1912 ~ 2007 Jane Chase Jennings, 95, of Siletz, Oregon, died January 10, 2007 in Newport, Oregon. She was born May 15, 1912 in Bainbridge, Massachusetts to Arbella Pingree, and Herbert Chase. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jesse David Jennings, in 1997. She is survived by her two sons, Herbert (and Sally) and David Jennings, as well as grandchildren Patrick Jennings, Jess Jennings and Emily Jennings. Jane will be remembered as a giving, caring, and loving parent and grandparent. In her mid 20's, Jane taught crafts and weaving at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. There she met and married Jesse D. Jennings in 1935. Almost immediately, they traveled to Guatemala for scientific research in her husband's field (Archeology) and thereafter traveled the world together until his death in 1997. She was an irreplaceable assistant and supporter, taking great interest in his work. As he said in the dedication of his autobiography in 1994 "....Her unwavering love, support and tolerance have steadied and strengthened me, through hard times and good times, successes and failures, ever since we met in North Carolina in 1934." Jane always had interest in the things around her. Those several interests frequently translated into action. In the 1930's, she helped well known folk singer and archivist John Jacob Niles collect folk songs of Appalachia. When her husband was transferred as superintendent to Ocmulgee National Park near Macon, Georgia, she immediately volunteered to conduct a year long bird census for the park and later used that experience to help develop a nature trail there, the Opelofa Trail. During World War II she decided to try flying, and became a pilot. In 1949 she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and young son where she was a homemaker and weaver. During the 1950s, Jane became involved in the Mary Meigs Atwater Weaving Guild and the production of that guilds' renowned recipe book for weavers. She was well known, within the local weaving and artistic community, offering classes and providing support until retiring with her husband to Siletz, Oregon in 1981. In Oregon, she involved herself with the local weaving community, once again offering classes and suggestion. In the late 1980s she was invited to participate in the Cross Country Weavers. Her association with this group continued until shortly before her death. During this time she continued to travel with her husband to such exotic locales as Polynesia and China. As a product of the early 20th century, Jane saw and lived through many astounding changes; changes as dramatic as the evolution of travel from horse drawn carriages, to trans oceanic air travel; from small nuclear towns to huge sprawling cities. She saw it all, and learned from it. Jane is well remembered for her attention to detail and ability to complete difficult projects, and her unselfish desire to share with others her considerable skill and knowledge. No services are scheduled. Bateman Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.