Jane Frances Fair

Jane F. Fair, aged 96, of Midland Park, passed away peacefully in her home on December 9, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born in Hoboken, Jane was a life-long New Jersey resident, who lived in Union City, Wayne (Packanack Lake), Ramsey, and Spring Lake, before moving to Midland Park 5 years ago.

She was a devoted parishioner of St. Elizabeth Church in Wyckoff. She enjoyed golfing, knitting, crosswords, puzzles, crocheting and walking the boardwalk. She loved the Jersey shore, the ocean, traveling the world, her friends, and being with the enormous, multi-generational family that she built.

She is survived by six children, John (Peggy) Fair, Florence (Bill) McAlvanah, Mary Jane (Bob) Taylor, Nancy (Stu) Lavoie, Joseph (Gina) Fair, and Kate Fair. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren, and her sisters Kathleen (Phil) Gianino and Mary Sue McConville. She is finally reunited with her husband Edward Fair, her children Tom, Veronica and Jenny,  her parents Florence and Tom, and her sister Florence Craffey in heaven.

Her 96 years included different chapters and new beginnings. But her faith, her family, and friends were constant. In the face of tragedies, she comforted those around her, prayed, and found new blessings. Jane’s life was filled with laughter and shared family memories. She was well-read, engaged in current events, never afraid to share her viewpoint, and sharp until the end. She could recall world events from decades past just as easily as characters from the New Jersey neighborhoods of her youth.

She hosted family reunions, holidays, golf outings, and countless joy-filled dinners in her home in New Jersey and while vacationing in Florida. She loved her roots, her Irish heritage, and the storytelling and laughter that came with it. But the extended family that she brought into the world was what brought her the most joy.

Her generosity was felt by her family and strangers alike:

She supported her extended family’s education, dreams, and pursuits. She traveled the country attending her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s baby showers, baptisms, first communions, confirmations, graduations and weddings. 

She also was a hospice volunteer, Eucharistic Minister, taught CCD, and spent much of her life volunteering at The Center in Asbury Park, NJ where she supported community members living with HIV/AIDS. She was a fierce advocate for those less fortunate, in words and deeds.

She will be missed deeply by the many people whose lives she touched throughout her long life.

The family will receive friends on Sunday December 15th from 4 pm to 8pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home,  www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated December 16, 2024, at 11 am at St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church in Wyckoff, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, and in the spirit of Jane’s generosity, donations in her memory can be made to the charity of your choice. 

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