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JANE HANSEN DABNEY
Jane Hansen Dabney Born in Cottage Grove , OR , February 9, 1931, Jane died peacefully at home in San Carlos on January 15, 2007 after a courageous 15-year struggle with multiple cancers. Raised as the only child of a single mother in the Pacific Northwest and on the Peninsula , Jane graduated from Reed College with a B.A. in physics in 1954. Her first job was teaching drafting to engineers at the Boeing Company in Seattle. She was told as a woman she had no future there, she then traveled to India and Japan with friends - before tours were even available and women traveling alone was unthinkable. Returning to Seattle , she did foster care in Snohomish County for several years and then attended the University of Washington School of Social Work for her MSW. Her master's thesis on the relationship between the North Coast Native Americans and their welfare workers was a valuable resource for many years. Jane worked at the Veterans Hospital in Menlo Park , CA , in the ward of the "Cuckoo's Nest" fame, then joined the San Mateo Mental Health Services and later the Peninsula Hospital Social Services Department. She was an insightful and gifted therapist and supervisor. Later, reprising her scientific bent, Jane attended the College of San Mateo for a certificate in programming and started a new, decade's long career as a computer programmer and analyst. Jane and her husband John Dabney enjoyed traveling to exotic places. A gourmet cook, Jane loved to entertain and share her unique travel adventures and "misadventures" with friends. ! Jane's b road knowledge of literature, history and culture, along with her crisp views of current events, guaranteed many rich conversations at her soiree-like dinner parties. With a delightful sense of humor, she saw the funny side of many situations. She was an intensely loyal friend, trusted, generous and helpful. She was a smart competitor, enjoying bridge, crossword puzzles and mental challenges. Jane loved to read, especially mystery stories, and enjoyed dancing and music of all kinds from folk, blue grass, to opera. She had an adventurous spirit, camping and hiking everywhere, even thoroughly enjoying sleeping in a pup tent on a trek through the Serengeti. Jane is survived by her husband of 42 years, John Paul Dabney; cousin, Lois Salisbury; brother-in-law, William Dabney and his wife, Valerie, and their children, Monica Dabney DeDen, Fiona Dabney Grandi and Joseph Dabney and their families. The family wishes to thank Dr. Kenneth Yamamoto for his excellent care and attention, as well as the Cancer Support Group at the Mercy Center in Burlingame . The family also thanks Hospice, and the many friends, volunteers, and caretakers who have been so supportive throughout the years. A special Celebration of Life will be held late February at the Mercy Center in Burlingame . Donations in Jane's honor may be made to the Mercy Center or to Planned Parenthood of San Francisco.
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