Jane E. Moser

Springfield - Jane E. Moser, 90, died at home on May 21, 2017, two hours after a family gathering of her children and grandchildren with the sharing of hymns and classical music led by cellist and granddaughter Isabella Moser. Throughout the evening, Jane was humming the tunes of the music.

Jane was born in 1927 to her parents Elizabeth and Albert Noble. She has a younger sister, Margaret Freeman. Jane was educated in the public schools of Amsterdam, New York. She attended the University of Rochester where she majored in English (with honors) and also studied music at the Eastman School of Music. After graduation, she taught English at Alfred (NY) State College. Later, in Rhode Island, Jane helped establish the Pilgrim Farms Kindergarten. She soon became a teacher at the renowned Henry Barnard School, located at Rhode Island College. Here she taught not only small children, but also college students who were studying to become teachers.

During the civil rights movement, when Providence integrated its public schools, Jane left Rhode Island College and became a teacher in the new Martin Luther King School as a statement supporting integration.

When her husband became pastor of a church in Northampton, MA, Jane joined the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Soon she was invited to a managerial position in the Special Education Department of the Northampton Public Schools, a position she served with distinction some 18 years until her retirement.  When the Moser’s eldest son David became seriously mentally ill, Jane gave leadership to the cause of the mentally ill. For 10 years, Jane was president of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Western Mass. Her contribution to that work was recognized nationally by way of a PBS Frontline special entitled “A Place For Madness,” as well as a featured article in the Washington Post and other national media.

Throughout her busy career, Jane still found time to be an affectionate and doting mother and grandmother to her four sons and their families. Included are: Paul and his wife Karen and their daughter Madeleine (and her husband Lukas); Peter and his wife Marjorie and their children Kate, Laura, and Jonathan; Stephen and his wife Darlene and their six children: Benjamin, Mary, Emma (and her husband Shaya), Eliza Jane, Isabella, and Anna Sophia. Unfortunately, David’s whereabouts are unknown.  Jane was married to her husband Rev. R. Leroy “Tex” Moser for 67 years.

Jane also found time to be an effective minister’s wife. Her husband has said that often when meeting former parishioners, they would comment about the Biblical stories Jane told in church with such dramatic flair.

A Memorial Service honoring Jane will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 2pm in South Congregational Church, 45 Maple Street in Springfield.

Friends are asked to contribute in honor of Jane to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Western Mass, 324A Springfield Street, Agawam, MA 01001.

New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements.  Visit www.nefcc.net