Jane Booton

Jane Louise Kirkwood Booton passed gently into the next life on December 14, 2019, with daughter Pamela and son Steven at her side. Their spouses Virginia and Javier offered comfort and love. Jane Booton was a devoted wife and mother, daughter and family member, friend, church and community member. She offered tremendous inspiration with her example of a life well lived.

On December 16, 1931 Jane Louise Kirkwood was born to Gladys Burnside and George M. Kirkwood in Palacios, Texas. The family settled in San Antonio, where she met her beloved husband William C. Booton at Jefferson High School. They attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied interior design and he studied engineering. They were active in their respective fraternal organizations, Delta Gamma and Phi Gamma Delta. They moved to Fort Worth, which they made their home for over five decades, raising their children, family dogs and remaining active in their community.

Jane spent many happy years with family and friends on the tennis courts of Colonial Country Club and the grounds of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, where she was a ruling elder for numerous terms. She devoted herself to beautiful landscape design, including building the labyrinth; gardening and floral arrangements; work with the elderly, HIV/AIDs survivors, the night shelter, food pantry, and many matters of aesthetics. Jane shared love and created beauty wherever she went. Jane and Bill were staunch advocates of inclusion within the Presbyterian Church, holding the conviction that the church was built on inclusion. While she was traditional in style, her social views were always enlightened.

After Jane and Bill had launched their children, Jane decided to return to college to complete her studies in Architecture with an Interior Design specialty. She graduated with high honors at the age of 46, obtaining her professional license yet returning to community involvement and family, caring lovingly for her dear mother for years. She was a gifted floral artist, contributing to Fort Worth Garden Club and was also a member of the Fort Worth Women’s Club. She studied art for years under artist Bror Utter, leader of the Fort Worth Cowtown Circle.

Jane traveled extensively with Bill over the years. She particularly enjoyed travels to Hong Kong, while he was Director of the Lockheed Martin program in Taiwan; numerous trips to London and extended trips to Scotland, where their favorite visits were stays on the Isle of Iona.

Jane remained in Fort Worth for a few years after William died on December 1, 2011. Her final five years were lived in Austin, with daily visits from Pamela, Steven, Javier or Ginny. Javier demonstrated how to provide support as the memory failed: enjoying aquariums together, drawing and coloring together, working puzzles, gardening, walking slowly and watching birds. Her family cherished her company, her smile, and her enduring ability be our hostess.

Jane was laid to rest next to her husband and parents at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio in a private family ceremony, officiated by Presbyterian Minister Reverend Bob Lively. She is also preceded in death by her brother George E. (Buddy) Kirkwood and beloved casi hermano Robert Kinsey. She is survived by daughter Pamela Booton and her husband Javier Booton; son Dr. Steven Booton and wife Virginia (Ginny) McKinney Booton, and cherished family friend Dorothy St. John.

The family suggests that desired donations be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Animal Rescue of New Orleans (ARNO) or a favorite charity.