Jane Kempner King

Jane Kempner King, 85, passed away on Monday, August 14, in Klaipėda, Lithuania, as a result of severe head injuries sustained in a tragic accident. At the time of her death, Jane was traveling with her husband, Bruce, on a tour of the Baltic countries. Bruce was also injured in the accident but not severely.

Jane was born in New York City on May 25, 1938, the daughter of David and Rosalind (Milch) Kempner. She attended the Lenox School in New York City and then Connecticut College in New London as an economics major. A week after her college graduation in 1960, Jane married Robert Bruce King in New York City. They had a happy married life together for more than 63 years until her death.

Jane and Bruce became the parents of two sons, Robert and David. Her early married years were spent in Wilmington, Delaware, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Bruce held chemistry research positions.

In 1966 Jane and her family moved to Athens when Bruce accepted an offer of a faculty position in the University of Georgia Department of Chemistry. After her sons reached school age, Jane joined the workforce as a Georgia State Bank examiner for several years. However, after both of Jane’s parents were diagnosed with lung cancer at the same time, she quit work to attend to their needs. After the death of both of her parents, Jane took several accounting courses in the University of Georgia School of Business. After passing the CPA examinations, Jane returned to the workforce as a seasonal income tax preparer for H&R Block. She enjoyed this work and the interaction with clients. She continued this work each year for more than three decades until her death.

Jane also had a passion for helping others through volunteer work. She was active in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in many ways including Treasurer for several years, a long-term member of the Finance Committee, and President in 1976. Jane used her accounting expertise in serving as a volunteer treasurer for several organizations including the Clarke Community Federal Credit Union, the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, the Northeast Georgia Mental Health organization, and, most recently, the Athens Torch Club.

Jane and Bruce were avid bridge players as well as world travelers. Their travels even led them to Antarctica as well as multiple trips to each of the other six continents. Jane and Bruce were strong supporters of the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center and the Georgia Art Museum as well as the School of Music.

Jane is survived by her husband Bruce; her two sons Robert (Monica Connolly) and David; and her two granddaughters Violet and Lola. David’s wife, Amy Martellock, preceded Jane in death.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens on Timothy Road. The service will also be live streamed through Zoom. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s memory may be made to the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center or the University of Georgia School of Music.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.