Jane Lady, “Grand Dame of Jazz”

Jane Lady, Central Illinois Jazz Society President for over 20 years and mother of Doug Lady, cofounder of the Jazz Society, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 20, 2016. 

Jane had multiple interests, including ice skating, boating and golfing, but most of all, music was her passion. She played in the Peoria Symphony for 27 years and sang in the Arcadia Presbyterian Church Choir for over 26 years, where she also served as the Head of Deaconesses. 

Her most visible and passionate role in the community was serving as the President of the Central Illinois Jazz Society from 1990-2010. Although founded by her son, Doug, Jane was the driving force in providing growth for the Society and the jazz scene in the area. She was a tireless advocate for live jazz and was a major force in helping to give local musicians a consistent performance venue in Peoria. Because of this, her positive influence in promoting awareness and appreciation of live jazz continues today throughout Central Illinois and beyond. 

Jane was born on October 27, 1926, in Peoria; she attended Peoria Central High School and then Bradley University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1948. Jane went on to become the Rehabilitation Director at the Peoria Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium for many years, and she later was the Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Peoria County Courthouse for two decades. She was also a longstanding member of the Peoria Chapter of the international philanthropic sisterhood organization P.E.O..

Jane was a passionate and caring lady who loved her family deeply, made friends easily, and was a giving soul. We miss her tremendously every single day, and we are grateful that her spirit still joins us at every monthly CIJS concert…front and center, of course.