Jane Meyer, 61, a resident of Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023 after a lengthy illness.

She was born September 23, 1961, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Willis and Esther Roth Meyer.  At the age of four Jane was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Esther and Willis made the difficult decision to send their beloved little girl to a residential program in Philadelphia to learn motor and life skills.  At the age of eight, thrilled to be back home, she began a program of home-bound schooling.  In 1975 the local school district started a class for the physically handicapped and eventually Jane was mainstreamed into a local class for high school.  Her high school graduation in 1980 was a proud moment and just the start of a rich life for a ferociously determined Jane. As a young adult, Jane moved to Pittsburgh to take classes in independent living, studying everything from meal preparation and financial management to self-protection and decision-making. 

In 1986 Jane realized her life-long goal to live independently when she moved into her own apartment at Allegheny Independent House in Wilmerding, PA where she lived for over 20 years.  She took college classes, attended baseball games, shopped, spent time with friends, and loved hosting her family.  She was a pioneer in independent living, receiving numerous awards for her fortitude and courage.

In 2009 Jane moved back to St Marys to be closer to family, and has lived at Elk Haven since 2011 where she found the care and comfort she needed to make her life full.  Jane was proud and excited to accept a position there delivering mail to residents.  Her family shares the loss of her brilliant, funny, joyful presence with her Elk Haven family. 

Jane loved reading, swimming, Yahtzee, backgammon (games of any sort), football (she loved the Dallas Cowboys) and all types of learning (books, classes).  Her life’s motto was “never give up” and her familiar “thumbs up” gesture was her go-to symbol of affirmation and of her unflagging positive attitude.  Anyone who engaged with Jane was immediately gifted with her mega-watt smile.  The challenge of CP helped to make Jane an extraordinary person whose indomitable spirit touched many lives. 

Jane is survived by two sisters: Cindy Sabik (Mark) of Cleveland, OH and Lori Renwick (Joseph) of St. Marys; three brothers: Bill Meyer (Vicki) of Cleveland, OH, Jeff Meyer (Tina) of St. Marys, and Joel Meyer (Jennifer) of St. Marys, and by many nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her sister Mary (in infancy).

Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Queen of the World Church on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 10:00AM, with the Rev. Jeffery Noble, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Elk Haven Nursing Home memorial fund or Elk Haven Nursing Home activities fund, 785 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 or HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, 4400 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA  19104, https://hmsschool.org/donate/ .

Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.