Just Call Me Jane

I have always had people who knew my mother tell me that “someday someone should write a book about that woman.” While I sometimes had the inclination to write her story, I never seemed to find the time. However, I was forced to have a spinal fusion and the recovery period meant months away from my golf game. I now had the time to write my mother’s story, which turned out to be my story as well. Because this would be a totally new venture for me, I was looking for help and input from many directions. Undoubtedly, Martha, my wife, was my biggest helper and supporter. I want to thank her for putting up with Jane and her bizarre ways all those years. Martha also has a degree in English, which came in very handy when editing the book. Next I would like to acknowledge our four children, Mark, Michael, John, and Shannon. They all had to deal with Jane. They reminded me of some of Jane’s eccentricities which are mentioned in this book. Most of all, I want the kids to know that I sincerely regret that Jane was not a better Grandma to them. Grandmas are wonderful people and our kids missed out on that joy in life. I appreciate the input of Rosie Browning, our friend and accomplished teacher of English, who read the first draft and made many suggestions that I welcomed and incorporated into the book. I would also like to thank Sandi Faber for her contribution and editing skills. Many thanks to Dee Domingo, our neighbor and computer guru. I could not have put this book on a flash drive without her. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge all of my friends who gave me such positive encouragement. My friend Jeanie Williamson suggested the title, and Nancy Campbell, my former secretary, shared some of her memories with me. Every story about Jane in this book is true and is written exactly as remembered by folks who dealt with her directly. To my brother-in-law Jerome Carrigan, my nephew Jay Carrigan and his wife Lisa, my niece Michele, and certainly John Nelson, I just want to say “thanks for remembering.”