[Oe List ...] A colleague of Yore Gees into the Light

[Bill Schlesinger]

Carol and I knew the Boohers when we were part of the opening of the
Rochester House, and spent our first months in their attic.  We considered
both of them mentors and guides.  We'd lost touch, and it's good to hear of
the richness of Jane's life.

Bill Schlesinger
Project Vida
3607 Rivera Ave
El Paso, TX 79905
(915) 533-7057 x 207
(915) 490-6148 mobile
(915) 533-7158 fax
bschlesinger.pv at tachc.org
www.projectvidaelpaso.org


-----Original Message-----
From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf
Of Judi White
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 8:21 AM
To: Order Ecumenical Community
Subject: [Oe List ...] A colleague of Yore Gees into the Light

most of you will remmeer Jane (Boocher) LeBlanc. Joanna posted this notice
on facebook. She went into the Light Monday afternoon, resting peacefully
under hospice care in Avon, NY..  I had reconnected with Jane on facebook. I
talked to her on the phone in August. At that time she was about to begin a
new round of chemotherapy. She was  writing down, for her daughters why she
had chosen this particular life of service as the Order Ecumenical. Jane was
a most special woman,with a gentle, peaceful and loving Soul. She cherished
her family and her life was dedicated to instilling the love of music in her
students.  I have copied and posted what Jody - Joanna Collins - and Cindy
Little - on facebook last night.

Jane was very active as a music teacher and as a development director for
more than 30 years. She was a Rotarian and song leader of Rochester Rotary
Club for 12 years. Jane was also the Choir Director at First Presbyterian
Church of Avon.
Jane's commitment to serving the underserved took her to Fort Berthold
Indian Reservation in northwest North Dakota, where she taught school in the
village of Mandaree. She also worked with the Fort Berthold Community
College as development officer, raising funds to build a new college
facility in New Town, N.D. Jane researched early songs of the Mandan and
Hidatsa Tribes with the aid of a panel of tribal members, publishing a
songbook, "Maa-baa-hi Ma-hac" with an accompanying tape. The college
sponsored this project which was supported by North Dakota Council of the
Arts She held deep appreciation for the Native culture and great sorrow for
the way American Indians were treated since European -American contact.
Jane believed you could teach so much through music. Whether it was
elementary children or adult choir, she strived to reach each and every
individual. Her enthusiasm and her humanness made it fun and challenging
while learning to sing or play an instrument. Her concern for inner city
children led to her involvement both in teaching at #5 and #20 schools and
her more recent tutoring of 3rd grade children at #8 School, a project of
the Rochester Rotary. She also served as development director at Jordan
Health Center and Unity Health Foundation. Teaching children to read and
succeed in school led to her work at Quad A for Kids at the Rochester Area
Community Foundation. Finally, a part time position at Literacy Volunteers
of Rochester concluded her life work just two years ago.
Jane was a Christian church woman, and asked for the Lord's guidance
throughout her life, sometimes rebelling against it, but always remaining
faithful. Her children, Cindy and Joanna, were raised in the 60's and 70's;
they were daughters of the great revolutions of that time - the urban
revolution, the civil rights movement, and the women's revolution. Whether
it was marching on the picket line with mom, or spending years in community
development as youth, they were exposed to a greater world than Jane knew
growing up in Elba. Today, they are strong women and good mothers. Thank the
Lord for such perfect gifts. She loved them dearly.

--
Judi White
25 North Lake Street
Crescent City, FL 32112
Phone: (386) 569-6956

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