Jane Briggs Obituary

Jane Shaw Briggs

Jane Shaw Briggs, born in Des Moines, Iowa to Dr. William Corr Shaw and Dorothy Marie Shaw nee Spicely, Mary Jane was the youngest of four daughters. She died of congestive heart failure August 4, 2014.

The family moved to Kansas City, Mo., then to China Lake Naval Station, California. Then short periods in Washington D.C., San Francisco and Bellville, Il. Jane then moved to Connersville, IN to live with her Aunt and Uncle Spicely. She attended Ball State Teachers College, Muncie, Indiana, worked for the U.S. government in Indianapolis and then was hired by American Airlines as a flight attendant.

After training in Dallas, Jane was based in Chicago. She met her husband John on a flight between Chicago and Dallas. John had just left the Air Force and was in pilot training in Dallas. John and Jane retired at the same time after 30 years with American. During her career with American Jane worked all of American's airplanes from the DC-6 propeller aircraft to the B-747 jet.

She was a loyal supporter of Planned Parenthood, National Organization of Women, ACLU, and the Unitarian Church. She volunteered at Elmhurst Hospital Pediatrics, Glen Ellyn Public Library and Glen Ellyn elementary schools. On flight layovers, she would visit pediatric wards with coloring books for the children.

Jane was preceded in death by her son, Matthew, of 8 years and is survived by her loving husband John of 48 years, her caring daughter, Katherine Spicely Dillon (Cliff), 2 granddaughters -Jane and Mary, 3 sisters - Suzanne McNamara (Dick), Cindy O'Connor (Allan), Sally Simpson (Jack), and many cherished nieces and nephews.

The family has requested, if memorials wish to be made, to consider Glen Ellyn Public Library. Memorial visitation, Friday, August 15, from 3p.m. until time of service at 5p.m. at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane St., Glen Ellyn. Interment private.

For more information call 630-469-0032.