Jane Neal

Mary Jane Hawkins Neal passed away peacefully on June 24, 2017 surrounded by loving family and friends. Jane was born in Rock Island, Illinois on December 9, 1936. Her father, Bernie Hawkins, owned the leading photographic portrait studio in Rock Island, and Jane’s mother, Stelma Ann Hawkins, taught elementary school after Mr. Hawkins death in 1949. Jane’s mother took her to the Lost Valley Ranch near Deckers, Colorado in the summer following her father’s death. There she met Philip Neal vacationing with his mother and father from Washington, D.C. Jane and Phil corresponded, and Phil chose to attend the University of Colorado because the Rock Island Railroad (“a mighty fine line”) went through Jane’s hometown.

Jane and Phil reconnected in 1956 when the U.S. Army discharged him 17 miles from Evanston, Illinois, where Jane attended Northwestern University. They married a year later at the beginning of Phil’s second year of law school.

Jane was proud of her job as a mother and homemaker. Her prodigious organizational talents earned her the title of “General” in her family. She raised three daughters and two sons in Annapolis, Maryland while Phil commuted to Washington, D.C. to practice law. Jane actually raised more than her own five children – her home on the Severn River overflowed with her children’s friends. She recalled fondly the evening she returned home to hear someone lifting weights in the basement. “It’s just me Mrs. Neal,” said one of her boy’s good friends.

Jane also found time to apply her organizational talents in the charitable world. She volunteered at the Hammond Harwood House in Annapolis, Maryland, a classic gentleman’s townhome built by a member of the Maryland legislature in 1774. Eventually Jane became Chairman of the Board and led an important restoration of the townhome’s roof using 18th century construction techniques. Jane also volunteered in the Nation’s Capital. She rose through the ranks of the Woman’s Board of the American Heart Association that raises money for heart research. She twice chaired the annual “Affair of the Heart Luncheon” of over 1,000 guests at the Washington Hilton. She was most proud of the 2003 luncheon at which First Lady Laura Bush was the honored guest. Jane subsequently became Chairman of the Women’s Board.

Jane and Phil surprised their friends and family when they moved to Colorado Springs in 2006. They loved Kissing Camels Estates from the moment they moved in. Jane earned scores of friends with her outgoing, friendly personality. She was especially fond of playing with the Mahjong Gals at the Garden of the Gods Club. Eventually Phil and Jane joined the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club where they made more wonderful friends. Their children forgave them their move when they learned how wonderful Colorado is in the summer.

Jane is survived by her husband, Philip Neal and her daughters Rebecca Neal, Susan Puritz and her husband Scott and their children Alyssa and Megan, Nancy Berry and her husband Mark. She also is survived by her son David Neal and his wife Mary Ann and their children Katelyn, Nathan, Hannah and Halle, and her son William Neal and his wife Norine. Jane recently became a great grandmother when Katelyn had a son, Oliver. Jane made a special effort to connect with her grandchildren, and her love was reciprocated.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Swan-Law Chapel, 501 N. Cascade Avenue, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2017.

If you wish to make a gesture in memory of Jane Neal, please consider the Hammond Harwood House, American Heart Association, or any charity of your choice.