Jane Antoinette Higley, 94, passed away quietly at her La Cañada Flintridge home on September 14th, 2020. Daughter of Adrian and Lorna Wilson, Jane grew up in Glendale but called La Cañada Flintridge her home for the last 64 years.
While attending Glendale High School, she met the love of her life, fellow classmate, Lee Higley. Jane graduated with a BA in English from USC, which she attended alongside Lee. They married on June 30, 1947 and were married 73 years.
Jane was a beloved wife and cherished mother to her five children. When her youngest child entered high school, she obtained her teaching credential in special education from Cal State LA and taught in the Glendale School District for nine years. Upon retiring, Jane took up art and became an award-winning artist. She used her creative acumen on watercolor, mixed media and collage. Friends and family could always count on receiving a hand-crafted watercolor or mixed media card from her on birthdays or special events. Jane loved to travel, garden, hike, read, and she always had time for fun games with her children and grandchildren.
As an active member of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, Jane served as a daily scripture reader and on the bereavement committee. She faithfully attended daily chapel.
Jane would recall, with a hint of an impish smile, that when she was 12 years old she would occasionally sneak onto the north end of the Forest Lawn property, which was then undeveloped and covered with weeds. Coincidentally her burial niche, in the Columbarium of Tenderness, is merely a few hundred feet from that area. The niche also looks across the hills to the house she and Lee built on Mt. Washington.
In addition to her husband, Lee, Jane is survived by her five children: Chery McBride of Redding, CA, Pam (Lane) Thomas of Whittier, CA, Mark (Dena) Higley of St. Petersburg, FL, Chris (Mona) Higley of Grass Valley, CA and John (Kim) Higley of Medford, OR, 14 grandchildren: Dana Bell, Anthony DeVincenci, Noel Thomas, Marc Thomas, Brad Thomas, Connor Higley, Jensen Bush, Addie Higley, Helio Higley, Erica Higley, Austin Higley, Vance Higley, Emily Higley, and Reid Higley, and 9 great-grandchildren.
A family service, officiated by Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti, was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, on September 23rd.
