Georgia Jane Winans, formerly of Northvale, New Jersey and Cooperstown, New York, who preferred simply to be called Jane, died on July 13, 2026, in Old Tappan, New Jersey. She was 94.
Jane was born on February 21, 1932, in Mountaindale, Pennsylvania, on the eve of George Washington’s birthday, a connection reflected in the name Georgia. She grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse and spent much of her childhood outdoors. A self-described tomboy, she loved hunting in the woods with her father, an early expression of the independence and fearlessness that would remain with her throughout her life.
Jane attended Juniata College, where she met William Matthew Winans, the love of her life. The two built a life and family together until William’s death in 1995. She never stopped loving him, speaking about him or looking forward to being reunited with him. Their love remained one of the defining stories of her life.
She is survived by her children, Margaret “Peg” (Peter), William “Bill” (Deborah) and Lloyd (Elise); her grandchildren, Daniel, Karrah, Amanda (Richard), Carrie (Joseph), Philip (Briana), Annalise (William) and Schuyler (Noreen); and even great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William.
Jane was the matriarch and center of her family, Holidays revolved around her, and she joined her children and grandchildren on countless vacations and adventures. She loved her family deeply and generously, and she was often the first person to offer help, care, or anything else someone might need. Her strength held the family together for decades.
A devoted Christian, Jane’s faith shaped the way she lived and understood the world. She attended church faithfully and traveled to Greece to follow the paths of the disciples.
Her curiosity carried her far beyond the small Pennsylvania town where she began, including trips to Iceland, Montana and many other places. She never allowed the boundaries of her early life to limit the size of the life she created.
Jane was exceptionally intelligent and endlessly interested in the world around her. She read widely, learned constantly and could speak knowledgeably and enthusiastically about nearly any subject. She was a gifted conversationalist who could hold a room for hours.
She was also a force of nature. Jane had impeccable taste, considered regular hair appointments a necessity, and was almost always the most elegantly dressed person in the room, regardless of the occasion. She possessed a fiery spirit, a quick tongue and an excellent memory for anyone who had displeased her: She made her opinions known and, on occasion, kept score.
Her childhood love of hunting never entirely left her. Even in suburban New Jersey, she was known to take aim at squirrels and groundhogs from her window, despite being reminded more than once that such behavior was not permitted.
Jane was an extraordinary gardener who could make nearly anything grow. She offered a seemingly endless supply of gardening wisdom and took great pride in the beauty she cultivated. She never turned down a chance to go get ice cream and ate it almost every evening.
She loved winter, the color blue and the family she helped create. Her light green eyes live on in many of her children and grandchildren, along with her intelligence, independence, curiosity, strength and unmistakable spark.
Jane lived fully, loved fiercely and remained entirely herself until the end. Her family will miss her presence, her stories, her opinions, her generosity and the singular energy she brought into every room.
Funeral Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Juniata College in Jane’s memory, in recognition of the education, experiences and lifelong memories she cherished there.
