Obituary of Jane Marie Unhjem

JANE MARIE UNHJEM July 31, 1952 - August 19, 2012 Goshen, NY Jane Marie Unhjem died August 19 in Stony Brook, NY, from injuries sustained in the crash of a small airplane. She was 60. Jane was born in Minneapolis, MN on July 31, 1952, the daughter of Ramon and Valeria Waleski. She graduated from Wagner College with a Bachelors of Education in 1974. She earned her Masters Degree of Education in Reading from William Paterson College in 1981, and a Certificate in Educational Administration and Supervision from the State University at New Paltz in 1998. Jane was a resident of Goshen for more than 33 years. She started her teaching career at Scotchtown Avenue School in Goshen as a remedial reading teacher before becoming a classroom teacher in 1980. When she became the Reading Specialist in the school a year later, she started the popular "Parents as Reading Partners" program, which continues even today. As she returned to teaching after maternity leaves for the adoption of her daughter, Gayle, from Korea in 1985, and the birth of her son, Matthew, in 1987, Jane worked as a special education teacher and administrator for the Pine Bush School District. She then became Director of Staff Development for Monroe-Woodbury School District in 1998. She returned to Goshen Central School District as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Development in 2004. Jane was a vibrant educator and leader with an infectious energy that affected everyone around her. In leading the instructional programs for Goshen, she was a passionate advocate for the music and arts programs, and took an active interest in all of the school's activities. She often referred to herself as the "assistant superintendent in charge of ushers and usherettes" at the district's various performances. She is remembered for her enthusiasm for her work, and radiant smile. Jane was very active in the Goshen Rotary Club, overseeing the international student exchange program and involved in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award program. As a strong believer in study abroad, she and her husband, Erik, hosted several international exchange program students from around the world. She had recently been awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship, and aspired to become the club's president. Jane was a devoted mother, a loving wife, and a treasured daughter and daughter-in-law. She is survived by her loving husband and college sweetheart, Erik; her daughter; Gayle and son; Matthew, as well as her parents, Ramon and Valeria Waleski of Goshen. She is also survived by her brothers; Raymond of Rochelle Park, NJ and Thomas of Lancaster, PA. A funeral will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 20 for family and close friends. Jane's life and career will be celebrated at 2 pm on Sunday, October 21 in the Goshen High School. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jane Unhjem Memorial Scholarship, care of Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan ( cfoc-ny.org/)