Jane Wilcox Needham, 96, of Naples, Florida and Fort Wayne, passed away on January 25, 2024. The daughter of Ira and Augusta (Leirer) Wilcox, she was born on July 8, 1927 in New Albany, Indiana. Jane graduated from New Albany High School and Indiana University where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of St Francis. On August 25, 1951 she and Dean Needham were married and blessed with 55 wonderful years together until his passing in 2006. A teacher with Fort Wayne Community Schools for 26 years, Jane was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Franciscan Secular Order, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Tri Kappa, PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), Fort Wayne Junior League and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital. In 2009 she became a resident of Naples where she was a parishioner of San Marco Catholic Church, a member of the Council of Catholic Women and a volunteer with Naples Community Hospital. Surviving are her cherished children, Thomas (Jane) Needham of Fort Wayne, Mark (Anne Bueter) Needham of Clermont, Florida and Nancy (Dino) Sarpa of Carmel, Indiana as well as seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1105 Calhoun Street Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802, where family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 915 S. Clinton St, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. Interment at the Catholic Cemetery beside her beloved Dean.
