Jane Smith Wells

Jane Smith Wells, 98, of Phoenix, died from COPD on June 1st, 2013. She was born on October 6, 1914 to Joseph A. and Martha Louisa Schroeder Beck of Schenley Farms in Pittsburgh, PA. Her father, an attorney, was instrumental in starting the University of Pittsburgh evening and business schools.  Jane graduated from Mt. Mercy College in 1937 (now Carlow University). While residing there, Jane was active in The Pittsburgh Historical Society, Pittsburgh Council of International Visitors, and a founding member of Pittsburgh Panorama, Inc. which ran tours in conjunction with conventions.    Jane’s first husband, whom she married in 1938, Joseph G. Smith (d. 1977) was a steel executive in Pittsburgh.  She met widower Richard B. Wells, Jr. on an Elder Hostel program and they were married in 1987. They shared 20 lovely years, moving from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, NC and then to the Phoenix area settling in the Wooddale Retirement complex in Sun City, AZ where Richard passed away in 2007.  The past three years Jane lived with her daughter Martha Butler. Jane is survived by her three living children Frances (aka Francey) of Chicago, Joseph V. (Jane R.) of Houston, TX, Martha Butler (Thomas L. d), her “second family” John Wells Marfa, TX and Jim (Louann) Wells, Peoria, AZ, 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 25 nieces and nephews, and her international and graduate student families from Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, The Netherlands, India and Thailand. She is preceded in death by her daughter Jane O’Connor (David) in 1970, three sisters Mary Beck Cannon, Martha Beck Reid and Rosina Beck Lewis and one brother Joseph A. Beck, Jr.  Visitation will be held from 5-8pm, with a Scripture Service at 7pm, Friday, June 7 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am, Saturday, June 8, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11300 N. 64

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Street, Scottsdale.  Later this summer Jane will be buried in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA following a Visitation at John A. Freyvogel Sons Funeral Home, Pittsburgh PA. Donations in her memory can be made to the Jane Beck Wells ’37 Student Assistance Fund at Carlow University, 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.