Jane Jessup Mayer

Stuyvesant Falls-Jane Jessup Mayer, 81, of Stuyvesant Falls, N.Y., passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, at home surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Born on September 5, 1943, Jane grew up in Illinois, graduating from Monmouth College with a bachelor's degree. After the birth of her first two children, Jane moved east in the 1970's, and attended the University of Massachusetts, where she earned a master's degree in education. It was then that she moved to New York and continued her long list of accomplishments in all areas of life.

Jane was a founding member of the Hungry Hedgehog Food Co-op in the 1970's, ushering in the age of public food cooperatives. In 1977, Jane started her successful business Alphasprouts, bringing alfalfa sprouts to store shelves, and gradually expanded the business to include many other products. Jane took great pride in providing outstanding customer service to its long list of clients, and the business employed many people in the community over the years. Jane continued to use her business acumen as the company evolved to what is now Newton Hook Tree Care LLC, as co-owner and accountant up until her passing.

Immersing herself in community service, Jane was a member of the Kinderhook Library Board of Trustees, served the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company #2 for many years as both Fire Police and as Chaplain, and over the years she was a family court mediator for Common Ground, a Deacon in the church serving the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hudson, and a Chaplain for Hospice. She was known for both her writing and orator skills, composing articles for various publications, and providing many sermons and eulogies.

Jane was always exploring new interests to expand her knowledge. Among other things, she learned to play the dulcimer, was an ardent doll collector, and could never pass up a quick pop-in to an antiques store or yard sale. Jane was also an avid reader. She had an extensive library, including vintage children's books. Reading them to her children, and then grandchildren, was something that she enjoyed doing her entire adult life, following in the footsteps of her mother Charlotte. She was always keen to talk about her latest good read, whether it be a children’s book, a novel, or an interesting article in the newspaper.

Jane was known far and wide for her homemade applesauce. Every fall, she would cook the apples from her apple trees, run them through her vintage oversized Foley food mill, and can many, many jars for the coming year. She never showed up as a dinner guest without a jar of applesauce! She also made pounds and pounds of dried apples each year and gave them out to friends and family. In her later years, Jane enjoyed trips to Cape Ann and the Adirondacks with her loving husband Doug.

With her gift of conversation and a beautiful smile, Jane made countless friends and acquaintances over her lifetime. To know Jane was to know a generous person, an advocate for others, who truly cared about the people around her, as well as people suffering throughout the world. She did what she could to donate her time and resources to causes close to her heart. Her positive impact on others throughout her lifetime is truly immeasurable.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving family including her husband of 34 years Douglas Mayer, along with her children and stepchildren: Christopher Owen (Kathleen Wilson), Cara Hollop (John), Brian Gifford, Sidra Gifford, Timothy Gifford, Grace von Moritz (Craig Morrison), Jennifer Mayer (Ian Cumpston), and Andrew Mayer (Kimberly Gardner). She is also survived by her grandchildren, whom she adored: Caitlin, Tessa, Oskar, Isla, Leo, Charlotte, Oliver, Stella, and Linden. Jane is also survived by her cousin Rondi Kilen, sister-in-law Sue Schmitt, and her dear friend Betty-Jean Roppolo.

Jane was predeceased by her parents Fred and Charlotte Schmitt, her brother David Schmitt (Sue), and her (unofficially) adopted son Allan Richter.

The family is grateful for the support and care provided by The Community Hospice, especially nurse Judy and Chaplain Matt, as well as the guidance and support provided by St. Peter's ALS center in Albany. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the above organizations, or to the American Friends Service Committee, a humanitarian organization dear to her heart.

Family and friends are invited to visit with Jane's family on Saturday, April 26 from 2:00-4:00PM at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home at 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer, N.Y. 12144. A memorial service will immediately follow at the funeral home. Jane would want nothing more than peace and understanding for all people of this earth on which we live. Hopefully her life can inspire us to work towards that goal.