Jane Burnham

Jane was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 13, 1939. She attended Mt. Lebanon High School, where she met Dave, her husband of 62 years, in 10th grade homeroom. They also attended the same Presbyterian church in Pittsburgh and joined a “Celtic Cross” youth group for teens interested in a deeper walk with Jesus. This set Jane on a path looking for a practical, down-to-earth way of living Christianity – one in which Jesus changes lives. She expected God to enter into mundane situations, and also expected to have to change in order to live His Way.

After working towards her BA in English from Hood College, Jane married Dave in 1961. They moved to Cambridge and later to Belmont, MA with their 3 children, and found a vibrant “life in the spirit” at the Presbyterian Church in Cambridge where she was also the church secretary for Ron Minor. They hosted weekly prayer meetings in their home, going late into the night with close friends from that church. Then, having attended many retreats at the Community of Jesus on Cape Cod, they decided to move there permanently in 1977.

She loved the variety of her life here in the Community–helping with the gardens and flowers, Harborside teas, keeping a home, working in the Bursars’s office, the Scribe's office, Priory Gifts, taking event reservations, sending out letters, operating the switchboard, driving sisters to appointments– wherever there was a need. She also loved volunteering at the local nursing home. She said that being involved in the musical activities here was a special privilege. Most of all, she valued the stability of her life with the Community family.

Jane was a people person. Following a family tradition of a major celebration before death, she organized an amazing birthday party for Dave just before the first conclusive signs of her illness appeared. During the last two months, she had a ball giving away her possessions. She gave her car to her grandson so that he could safely travel to Rochester, NY for organ lessons. From her collection of scarves and jewelry, she picked out sets that matched the styles of her many friends and received much joy giving many of these “Christmas presents” in person.

Jane is survived by her husband Dave, her children Pam Jordan (and Jim), Mark (and Monica), Dan, and her grandchildren Sr. Penelope Jordan and John Jordan.

“Life is a gift to be unwrapped bit by bit—always with the Lord at the center, always close, always understanding, forgiving, renewing, always expecting a change of heart, a giving up to God’s way of truth and healing. Transfigured by Jesus.” from Jane’s journal

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to Arts Empowering Life – a nonprofit foundation dedicated to the pursuit of beauty, truth, and faith in the Arts.

Mail to: Arts Empowering Life PO Box 2831, Orleans, MA 02652

Online: artsempoweringlife.org/donate/