Jane Worley

Madison-Jane Read Worley, age 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. A lifelong resident of Madison, she was born on Dec 8, 1914, the daughter of James and Elvira (Boehner) Read. Jane often spoke proudly of growing up on the near West side (Vista Road) and attending Randall School and Wisconsin High School. Upon her graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 1935 with a major in bacteriology, she was employed as a bacteriologist at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. It was during this time she met and later married Dr. Gordon Worley, Jr. on June 15, 1940.

Jane was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church where her mother was a founding member and where Jane was baptized, confirmed and married. A 60 year resident of Shorewood Hills, she founded the Village's first preschool program and was president of the garden club. She was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed reading, especially Middle Eastern, Chinese and Japanese history.

Her husband was paralyzed by polio in the 1954 epidemic. After his discharge from the hospital, the two of them reestablished his private practice of pathology, which they ran from an office and laboratory in their home for ten years. During this period, she was his loving wife first and foremost, but also his laboratory technician, business manager, and caregiver. At the same time, she raised her children. Her fortitude and hard work were exemplary. For all these reasons she was determined to live her remaining life at home.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gordon Worley, Jr., who died in 1966, and by her brother George S. Read. She is survived by her four children: Gordon Worley III (Patricia Pukkila), Ann Rahn (Douglas), Nancy Erdman (Michael) and Susan Worley (Kent Kapitan) and by her grandchildren: Read Pukkila-Worley (Anya Lepp), Douglas III and Andrew Rahn, and Melissa and Jay Kapitan. As a mother and grandmother, Jane took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held Saturday Feb. 11, 2012 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent St. with The Rev. Andy Jones officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Andrew's.