JANE ANN BOWERS SANDERS
1938-2021
Born and raised in Houston, Jane was a rare life force of intellect and passion. A graduate of Texas public schools, she was the Jefferson Davis High School (1956) yearbook editor. She was the first person in her family to attend college, a 1960 Rice University grad, and she became a national-awardwinning elementary school teacher. She died in Gresham, Oregon on Dec. 18th, 2021.
Jane had a life-long passion for teaching, as she and her former husband (Larry, married in 1960) moved around the country with his Methodist ministry. She settled in Universal City, TX where she raised her children and worked as both a Special Education and a Gifted & Talented elementary school teacher in the Judson and S.C.U.C.I.S.D. school districts. Her keepsakes included treasured letters from students and their parents. She spent hours after the regular school day was finished, not just writing class lesson plans, but personalized student lesson plans.
She taught critical thinking and to confront one’s own bias in any given situation. She was the living embodiment of an ideal caretaker and educator: compassionate, kind-hearted, and yet steadfast in her mission for their excellence.
She loved living in Montana, Idaho, and Iowa, where she gathered river stones that she brought back to Texas. She loved adventures and her favorite places included the Texas Hill Country, Yellowstone, Switzerland, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest, where she lived her last few years.
She possessed infectious joy at seeing fireworks, butterflies, trees, and all babies. She loved fabric of all kinds, and feasts with friends and family. She was a voracious reader and you were loved by her if she sent you a newspaper clipping of some subject she just knew was required for the wellbeing of your life. When not in their presence, she was happiest relaying the latest incredible accomplishments of her grandchildren to anyone in earshot.
Jane is survived by: son Norman Sanders (Lisa) and children Samantha (fiancée Ben), Cecilia (fiancée Eduardo) and Cedric; daughter Jennifer Lorenz and children Julia Lorenz-Olson (Philip), and Helena Lorenz; son Geoffrey Sanders (Kjersti) and children Kelly and Audrey. And her great-granddaughter Clementine Olson.
She is also survived by the children of her best friend Rachel: Steve, Brendan, Sharon, Amy, and grandchildren Hayden and Arden Price.
And her closest friend Amalia Davis and former son-in-law Andy Lorenz.
She is preceded in death by her parents Eileen Goulding Alcus Bowers, her father Roy E. Bowers, and her beloved brother Jerry Bowers.
Jane’s ashes will be scattered amongst the redwoods she loved in California. There will be memorials next spring in Houston and San Antonio.
In her honor, the family asks that you and your children send a thank-you letter to a favorite teacher. And vote Democratic.
For donations in her name: The Houston Area Women’s Center – HAWC.org