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A TRIBUTE TO TROOPER JANE Jane Ann Kern October 6, 1937 – August 31, 2008 by Val & Jack Mac Phee It is with great sadness that we report the loss of our beloved friend Jane Kern who was killed in an automobile accident Sunday, August 31st 2008. Jane will be missed not only by her husband Walt, her children, grandchildren and sister but her home GWRRA Chapter F, the NJ District, Polar Bear Grand Tour, Spokes-Women Motorcycle Club, the Red Hat Society, the “Happy Scrappers” (as she affectionately called us!), her weight watchers friends and many friends and family. In the early part of 1989 Walt and Jane got interested in motorcycles through her sister-in-law Carol and her husband Jack from Illinois who owned BMW’s and had traveled everywhere including Pike’s Peak on them. On the way home from Illinois, Walt brought up the subject of getting a bike and to his surprise Jane was enthusiastic saying that she had always wanted to ride but thought that Walt would never go for it. When they got home to New Jersey, they acted quickly. Walt contacted Jack who was chairman of the Motorcycle Club at Bell Labs where they both worked, and they had many discussions about motorcycles. Soon after that Walt bought a motorcycle and got his permit. Jack went to see Walt’s first bike while he had his permit. Walt practiced in front of his house for a while, and Jack suggested that they go for a ride. Since Jane could not ride with Walt at the time, she rode on the back of Jack’s Goldwing. Walt took his bike and together they went on a tour of Millstone, Creamridge and local areas for about an hour. Jane got very interested in getting her own motorcycle. Jack suggested that they take the Beginners Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, which they did, and they both got their licenses. Jane then bought her own motorcycle, a 1989 Honda Shadow VLX, and quickly got interested in women’s motorcycle clubs and rode with them and the Bell Labs Motorcycle club. Jack retired and didn’t see them for some time until we met them again at a BMW Rally in Pennsylvania which is where I met Jane for the first time. This was my first long ride with Jack on his Honda and I quickly caught Jane’s infectious enthusiasm for motorcycling. Some time passed and Walt graduated to a Goldwing and our paths crossed again. Jack suggested that he and Jane join the GWRRA Chapter F meetings. We were so happy to see them when they arrived at our breakfast meeting. They jumped in with both feet and became very active in Chapter F. Jane and Walt became the Treasurers of Chapter F and Jane won the hearts of all of those that she came in contact with. When health problems made it difficult for her to continue riding her bike, she didn’t give up, Jane converted Walt’s GoldWing into a trike and Walt bought a new Goldwing, which he later converted to a trike as well. They continued to be very active in Chapter F advancing to Chapter Couple, and finally “Sunshine Lady”. The weather always seemed better for the rides and events as long as Jane was in charge of the Sunshine Committee. When Jack & I found it difficult to attend many of the events, Jane was always there to remind us of a Dinner Ride or a party or an Ice Cream Run. Jane loved everyone in the Club and NEVER had an unkind word to say about anyone! We all felt that we were her best friend. Jane had shared her love for scrap booking with me, and it just so happened that a group of retired friends of mine were getting together every Tuesday to work on their latest scrap booking ideas together. I mentioned it to her and asked her if she’d like to come. Tuesday’s at Judy’s house became one of the highlights of our week and we grew to care deeply about one another, sharing our challenges and triumphs with laughter and tears. Jane said many, many times how privileged she felt to be a part of the scrap-booking group, but we were the ones who benefited from her talent and creativity. She sat next to my mom every week and shared her knowledge of scrap booking, her ideas, her supplies, and her love with all of us. She leaves her family an extraordinary legacy of family moments captured in unique and skillful ways. In addition to the weekly “Scrapping” sessions, Jane would often be off to a scrap-booking workshop, to a book signing, or a RED HAT Luncheon. Jane was delighted when Judy Wall became our “Queen Mum” and organized many luncheons and tours for us to go on. We all donned our Red Hats, pearls, pins bracelets and were off to what we jokingly called “Adult Recess”. Or she might be in the audience on “The View”, or off to an adventure in New York, or cruising with her sister, Carol. Going to the Macy’s Day Parade before Thanksgiving with Steve and his family was a really big hit with her. It was one of the places to go and things to do that Jane had on her wish list. She was like a little kid again as Steve put it and enjoyed it even more than her grandchildren. We all enjoyed celebrating with Jane and Walt at her birthday celebrations and listening to David’s magnificent singing voice. How proud she was of David when he starred in “Evita” in Spring Lake! She organized many of the F-Troopers to attend one of his performances and meet him. She looked forward to baby sitting for Connor and Caroline for extended periods of time during school holidays and especially enjoyed showing Caroline how to make her very own scrapbook. She was very proud of all of her children and her grandchildren and was looking forward to the newest (7th) grandchild to arrive in April. Jane was so looking forward to making a family affair of walking for Juvenile Diabetes for her beloved Caroline on September 14, 2008 and had already raised $900 for her favorite cause. Wouldn’t she be delighted to see that the totals were over $2000 the last time that I looked? Jane’s enthusiastic love of life will live in our hearts forever. As our dear scrap-booking friend Lois said, “I shall never again leave my friends or family without hugging them, and telling them that I love them. Jane’s passing taught me that. She brought a special gift of giving to our lives.” We love you; Jane, and we all assuredly will miss you! Family Members Husband Walter Kern Son David, wife Megan, grandchild Andi Jay age 3 Son Steven, wife Judy, grandchildren Jordan age 11, Ian age 5 and Jayson age 6 Daughter Susan, husband Greg, grandchildren Caroline age 8 and Connor age 10
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