Obituary of Jane Hammell Myer

Jane Hammell Avati Myer passed away peacefully at home in Denville, New Jersey on May 5, 2014. She was 94 years old. Jane was born on August 12, 1919 in Rumson, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Lansdell and William Robert Hammell. She was educated at Red Bank High School and at the New York School of Applied Design for Women where she won several prizes. Her pencil and pastel portraits were an amazing treasure to those she drew throughout her life. During World War II she did portraits of service men at the USO to brighten their lives and present them with an enduring treasure. She was married to James Sante Avati, who is the father of her children, and later to Robert Myer, her beloved husband of 44 years who survives her. His tender loving care is greatly appreciated by all of their children. Jane was passionately patriotic and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also deeply religious and a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Invite her to work on a play, or presentation, to decorate, or make costumes, and she was in her element! She was an excellent seamstress and decorator and loved theatre and old movies. She was also very compassionate and would open her home and her heart to anyone whom she felt needed her. Her family meant everything to Jane. Her children, step children and grandchildren, as well as her siblings , nieces and nephews were very important to her. She also cared deeply about her ancestors and did extensive family research throughout her life. Jane is survived by 4 of her 6 children: Alexandra Firmage (David) of Fairfield, Maine; Margaret Anderson Markham (Philip) of Lehi, Utah; James Richard Avati (Deborra) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Elizabeth Jane Davies of Hewitt, New Jersey as well as her step children: Daniel James Myer of Uniondale, Pennsylvania; Linda Sue Hodges (Jim) of Boerne, Texas; Cynthia Gayle Cosentino (Peter) of Dover, New Jersey; Timothy Scott Myer of Uniondale, Pennsylvania; and Lisa Ann Myer of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Her son Christopher John Avati and her daughter Laurie Anne Avati predeceased her. She and Bob have 27 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren between them. She will be sorely missed! Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at the Norman Dean Funeral Home, 16 Righter Ave., Denville , New Jersey. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 12 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 156 Mountain Road, Ledgewood, New Jersey followed by interment at the Denville Cemetery.