Jane Gillespie

Jane R. Gillespie, age 71 of Lowell, left this world on January 17, 2026, to go on to her next adventure. She was an “April Fool’s” baby, born on April 1, 1954, to Janet Elinor Glenn (Rusch, Salminas) and Alan Clare Rusch. She was born in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in Livonia.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, Paul Salminas; sister, Leslie Bonnett; grandparents, Lois and Emmett Glenn and Alma and Hubert Rusch; aunt, Nancy Glenn Jones, and father-in-law, Floyd A. Gillespie, Sr. Jane is survived by her husband, Roger A. Gillespie; nephew, Larry (Kelly) Stockton, and their children, Canyon, Conner (Tearani – their children, Avyana and Dakota), Jackson, and Jersey.

Jane was the love of Roger’s life and his best friend. She was a smart cookie. She would let you know that. If you were wrong, she would tell you. But she would tell you why you were wrong. She said she always wanted to be a teacher. Both Jane and Roger attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, and she spent most of her time in the Education department. Money was tight so she worked there too. She spent a lot of time in the Theatre department as well. Both Jane and Roger were in the University choir, Jane sang in the Alto section. Both graduated, Jane received her degree in Teaching of Speech and English. Since they still lived across the street from the university, she decided to work on her master’s degree, as Roger worked the night shift at McDonald’s mopping floors.

In the winter of 1976, Jane asked Roger, “Are you going to marry me or what?” Roger said yes but explained he was barely getting by. Jane responded by saying “Money doesn’t matter – love does though.” So, Roger did the smartest thing he could do and asked Jane to marry him. Her response, “Oh, I guess so.” The couple had married by May 1976.

Roger found a job working for the Department of Corrections in Ionia and the couple moved to Grand Rapids. Jane got a job at a local bookstore for a while and then at Hudsons selling kitchenware. Not long after that she found a job teaching night school in Lowell, working with a room full of Vietnam veterans, helping them finish their high school education.

Soon afterward, she got a day job teaching kids at the local high school. She was in the English department working with Sophmores and Seniors, teaching English and Speech. She also coached Debate and Forensics. She regularly took kids to both local and state competitions. She loved her “kids”. Every now and then the couple were stopped in the store and introduced to someone Jane taught from way back. They didn’t look anything like they used to she would say along with their shopping cart full of little kids.

In the spring of 1980, Roger and Jane bought a boat. They got a sailboat that they kept at the marina in Saugatuck on Lake Michigan. Roger knew how to sail, but the sport was new to Jane but she caught on quickly. Her folks had a power boat when she was a kid. They “traded up” with two more sailboats and moved the boat to White Lake in White Hall just north of Muskegon. Jane became a very good sailor. She could handle the boat well and was the best at docking boats too. Now and then, the “dock committee” guys would stop what they were doing to watch her dock the boat. When they got the boat tied down, the committee would nod their heads approvingly and go about their business. Some of her friends would complain that their husbands wouldn’t teach/let them run the boat. She would ask them if something happened to your husband, how are you going to get back safely. She had a way of making things really clear. Jane and Roger made a lot of dear friends while boating; people that they still see now and then.

In the spring of 1986, Jane told Roger that she was not going to take the boat up to the lake this summer. “How many times do I have to see Frankfort on the boat?”, she asked. “I’m not going to wait to get old to travel. I want to go somewhere interesting on a real vacation.”, she said. Roger asked her what she had on her mind and she told him Germany. So, the couple went to Germany. Although the couple traveled around the states a fair amount, that was the beginning of their more serious traveling. They ventured to Europe, Britain, Africa, South and Central America, New Zeeland, Norway, all the provinces and all the states. Leaving only a few places left on their list.

Both Jane and Roger worked their way through their careers and in the summer of 2004, they were both able to retire. From the very beginning of married life, Jane worked and planned for the day where every day was a Saturday and every night is a Friday night. They continued to travel and spend a lot of time on the boat.

Jane and Roger enjoyed their retirement until the past few years. They did a lot of traveling, boating, made friends, and let some go. A while back they sold the boat and the VW campervan and they bought a camping trailer and something to pull it with. Jane wanted something to walk around in and all the things that went with that.

Jane and Roger were a team, one for all. Most of everything Roger became was because of Jane. Everything he has is because of her. Every time he goes to write a message, email, or letter he can hear her in his ear, reminding him to make sure everything is correct. Don’t let it go out until it’s correct! She always told him, “Imagine posting it on the bulletin board down the hallway.”

Roger is going to miss Jane dearly. Those who had the privilege of knowing her will miss her too. Roger’s advice to those reading is to let your dear ones know that they are dear and that you love them. Remember, there’s not enough time, there is never enough time.

“I am looking for a hardheaded woman.

One that will take me for myself.

And if I find my hardheaded woman,

I won’t need nobody else.

I’m looking for a hardheaded woman

One that will make me do my best.

And if I find my hardheaded woman

I know the rest of my life will be blessed.”

Go to sleep and get some rest and have sweet dreams Jane, remember that I love you and always will. Goodnight, Sweetheart – Love, Roger.