Jane Ellen Stein, affectionately known as “Janie” to friends and family, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 1, in the arms of loved ones. She was 80 years old and had recently moved to Brightview Senior Living Community in North Andover, Massachusetts, to be close to her daughter, Karen Isgur Damon, of Andover, Massachusetts, son-in-law Jamie Damon, and granddaughter Sara Damon.

Jane was born on March 3, 1946 (three was her favorite number for obvious reasons), in Boston, Massachusetts, to Edward and Sara (Rosenfield) Rosenthal, both deceased. She grew up in a very loving home along with her two older brothers: Paul Rosenthal, who predeceased her, and Dr. David Rosenthal of Dedham, Massachusetts.

Jane graduated from Newton South High School in 1964 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, graduating Magna Cum Laude. (She was a smarty!)

In 1982, Jane earned a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she dedicated most of her working life. At the peak of her career, Jane served as the Director of Fiscal Management for the College of Engineering. For her exemplary and outstanding service to the University in that role, and throughout her years there, Jane earned one of the highest honors conferred to UMass employees: the esteemed Chancellor’s Citation.

Other “titles” bestowed on Jane by her peers included Resident Miracle Worker, Director of Morale, Key Creator of Community, and the Memory of the Institution. She gave equal parts enthusiasm to complex budgetary concerns as she did flipping burgers at family picnics. According to her colleagues, you would be hard-pressed to find a more respected or revered individual in all of Amherst.

Philanthropy was incredibly important to Jane. She was a lifetime member of Hadassah and gave her time and financial support to many causes, including the UMass Amherst Community Campaign, WFCR, the American Cancer Society, and The United Way, among literally hundreds of other charitable organizations. In retirement, one of her most meaningful causes was the Amherst Survival Center, where she spent every Friday serving meals to residents of surrounding towns and those who were homeless.

Jane met her first husband, Jay August Isgur (deceased), at Camp Tevya, Brookline, New Hampshire. Their shared love of tennis was passed on to their daughter, Karen. When Jay died tragically in his early 30s, Jane was left to raise her daughter as a single, working mom. She excelled at that as she did at everything she committed to. One highlight of this time was getting a multi-page write-up in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, “Working mother thinks up recipes that save time”.

It wasn’t until Karen went off to college that Jane met her next great love: Peter B. Stein (deceased). They were married in 1989 and had more than 30 years of bliss together. Their home in Montague, Massachusetts, on seven acres of mostly forested land, gave them plenty of peace and space for their hobbies, including gardening, bird watching, and reading. They also traveled extensively; dominated on the tennis court; babysat their granddaughter, Sara, weekly; engaged in heated Scrabble games and challenging crossword puzzles; enjoyed museums, concerts, theater, and so much more.

Jane’s family expanded quite a bit when she married Peter, and she embraced her stepchildren, Deborah (Greg), Chris (Cyndi), and Matthew (Nicole), and their children, Emily, Megan, Jonah, Dana, Jack, David, Daniel, and Lily as her own.

She also has always been with both of her sisters-in-law Judy Rosenthal (David) and Shae Rosenthal (Paul), especially enjoying their battles over turkey drumsticks at Thanksgiving and their time together up at Lake Winnipesaukee.

Jane will be remembered as one of the sweetest, kindest people in the world by her nieces Debbie (Jason), Margi (deceased), and Laura (Keith); nephew Jimmy (Helene); brother-in-law Harly Isgur; dear cousins Arlene Sugarman and Nancy August; as well as so many other family and friends from all parts of her life. Jane truly knew how to make everyone she came in contact with feel special.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jane at a funeral service on Wednesday, August 5 at 10:30 am, at Congregation B’Nai Israel, 253 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Following the service, Jane will be buried alongside her second husband, Peter, at CBI Cemetery, 473 North King Street, also in Northampton. Information will be provided at the service for those who wish to join immediate family for Shiva and a reception. For those unable to attend, a livestream of the service will be available at: https://www.cbinorthampton.org/livestream.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Amherst Survival Center, https://amherstsurvival.org, are appreciated.