Jane A. Thomas Rochester

She was 91 years old. She was the oldest of the three daughters of Byron Henry Thomas and Irene Lucas Thomas. Jane was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. She graduated from Ames High School and received degrees in Fine Arts from Monticello College, University of Iowa, California School of Fine Arts, and a teaching certificate from San Francisco State University. She took classes for two years in the early 1980’s at Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA in their excellent Art Department as well.

She held numerous jobs over the years, with her final position as an administrative assistant in the Physics Department at Stanford Linear Accelerator.

Her first love was art, with being most talented in drawing pastel portraits of people, catching their likeness in great detail. She was so joyful when she spent time at her easel. Her other passion was reading, and she amassed a large library to show for it. She moved to Dallas almost 5 ½ years ago to be close to family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Kathleen Barr. She is survived by her daughter Alisone Kopita (Dr. Jeffrey Kopita) and grandchildren Lilly and Phillip, son Grafton Rochester (Celeste), her sister Claire Allen, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to The Forum at Park Lane, where she lived almost all of her time here in Dallas, Right At Home Care and Assistance, and Texas Home Care and Hospice for all their support during her final days.

No memorial service is planned, but please spend time enjoying art in all its forms.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity of choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Rochester family.