Jane B. Sharkoff

Jane B. Sharkoff passed from this earth on March 20, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Sharkoff; and sisters, Ruth Bremer and Margaret Bremer Kennedy. She is survived by her sister, Janet Mrs. John H. Prickett of Cincinnati Ohio; son, Jim Sharkoff of Wheatridge, Colorado; daughter, Carolyn Mrs. Mario Dianda of California; daughter, Margaret Sharkoffmadrid Mrs. Michael Madrid of Fort Collins, Colorado and McLean, Virginia; two grandsons, and two great-granddaughters. Jane was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 31, 1921. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1941, majoring in Food Science with recognition from Iota Sigma Pi, a National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry. Jane accepted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley; however WWII interrupted her graduate work. Jane returned to Cincinnati and worked in the labs at Strietmann Biscuit Company now Keebler, testing ingredients used in Army rations. Throughout the 1940's, Jane and her sisters spent summer vacations in Rocky Mountain National Park, staying at the old Bear Lake Lodge and hiking the Longs Peak trail. Jane fell in love with Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, knowing this was where she wanted to eventually settle. Following WWII, Jane married Louis Sharkoff and they moved to Birmingham, Michigan where their children were born. In 1968, Jane's dream of living in Colorado was realized when the family settled in Colorado Springs. Lou was a Golf Professional and counselor, and Jane was the Hostess at First Presbyterian Church. Following Lou's death in 1978, Jane retired and joined the Peace Corp, preparing to work on nutritional issues in Tanzania. Her own health issues kept her in the USA. In 1990, Jane moved to Terry Lake, north of Fort Collins to live with Michael and Margaret where she enjoyed gardening, birding, and attending Colorado State University classes 'for fun'. In 1997, she moved with Michael and Margaret to McLean, Virginia where she immersed herself in the history and art museums in Washington DC. In 2005 she happily returned to Terry Shores where she lived until this month. Jane was a voracious reader, supporter of all educational pursuits, intellectually inquisitive, and fiercely independent. A memorial service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel on March 25, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Madrid's home on Terry Lake. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations be sent to the Rocky Mountain National Park Nature Association, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive , Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.