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Nickelson Lithgow, Jane Ardith obit pic

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Jane Ardith Lithgow obituary, 1941-2025, Amherst, MA
Jane Ardith Lithgow
1941 - 2025

BORN 1941
DIED 2025

University of Iowa
University of Washington

Jane Lithgow Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 28, 2025.
Jane Ardith Lithgow (née Nichelson), 83, of Amherst, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025, of breast cancer after living in defiance of her diagnosis for decades.

Jane was born December 28, 1941, in Dow City, Iowa, the daughter of William Walter and Genevieve (Schrader) Nichelson. She married David Lithgow on July 31, 1970. He survives.

Also surviving are three children: John (Hilary) Lithgow, Jay Lithgow, and Gregg (Marie) Lithgow; three grandchildren: Genevieve, Nicholas ("Nico"), and Arlie Lithgow; two sisters: Judy (Don) Seitz and Carol McKinney; and one brother: Steve (Paul Turchetto) Nichelson; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, William ("Bill") and Larry Nichelson.

Jane graduated from the University of Iowa and earned a Master's degree from the University of Washington. She served in the Air Force from 1968-1970 as a Registered Nurse, achieving the rank of Captain. In addition to her military service, Jane served patients with dedication at the VA in Chicago and passed on her love for and expertise in nursing as a professor at Central Missouri State University and Trenton State College, where she served as acting Dean of the School of Nursing, and at the University of Massachusetts, where she was recognized with a university-wide teaching award. She also served in roles at Franklin County Home Care, the American Cancer Society, and the National League of Nursing.

Jane was a fierce and loyal advocate for her children, especially her son Jay. A tireless volunteer for the PTA, she advocated for all children with disabilities, including Jay, and worked to ensure that Jay could complete high school with his younger brother Gregg. With Jane's encouragement and to her great joy, Jay has continued her legacy as a generous, active and independent member of the Amherst community.

In retirement, Jane split her time between Amherst and New York City, where she continued to support caregivers by evaluating continuing education programs for the National League of Nursing and volunteering at the Alzheimer's Association. Through a fellow volunteer, she developed a tight circle of friends, the self-described "Gadabouts," with whom she explored and discovered many hidden treasures in the city.

Jane will be missed by many, but especially by her grandchildren. Her eldest, Genevieve, shared her love of New York City, where they had many memorable adventures together. Always dedicated to Nico and Arlie, she loved reading with them, attending their activities, and happily joined them on the floor to play well into her final years.

However you knew Jane, please celebrate her life in a way that feels true to the way you knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jones Library Capital Campaign in Amherst or Feed the Children. Honoring her wish to forgo a traditional funeral, a celebration of Jane's life will be held in Amherst at a date to be determined.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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