Obituary of Jane Ann Grogan

JANE ANN GROGAN (nee LOUDON)

On December 7, 2022, Jane Ann Grogan died peacefully surrounded by her family at Toronto's St. Michael's Health Centre after a long battle with kidney disease and a recent cancer diagnosis. Her family finds solace in the knowledge that Jane is now reunited with her late husband Dr. Dallas Grogan to celebrate Christmas in heaven, a holiday they made special every year for their children and grandchildren.

Jane worked tirelessly to make everything special and always exceeded expectations. Jane had no problem going without sleep, whether that was to perfect a speech or essay as a young student, to sew a Halloween costume as a young mother, to prepare an elegant dinner party for Dal’s medical partners and their wives, or to grade report cards for her students. A self-described life-long learner, Jane reinvented herself many times over, always to improve the lives of others. She was known for her signature blonde curls, sometimes piled high, her bright red lipsticked smile and her mischievous sense of humour. A fabulous entertainer, stylish dresser, inspiring teacher, she was a devoted and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother.

Predeceased by her parents, Albert Matson Loudon and Ruth Amelia (McLean) Loudon. Treasured by her husband of 63 years, Dallas Rupert Grogan (deceased). Adored by her daughters Pamela (Harry Taylor), Lisa (Kevin Green) and Cheri (David Wilson).  Revered by her grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica) and Connor Taylor (Alice Jeffers), Zachary, Alexis and Taylor Green, and Dallas and Wyatt Cochran. Known to her grandchildren as Nana, she was to each of them a steadfast friend, confidence booster and an inspiring role model. Cherished by her early cottage partners, her brother Bob Loudon (deceased) and sister-in-law Gwen (Mueller). A beloved sister-in-law to Joan (Grogan) Jelley (Michael Jelley, deceased), twins Heather (Grogan) Richardson (deceased) (Don Richardson) and Margaret (Grogan) Johnson (deceased). Celebrated by ten nieces and nephews and countless friends. Jane’s elegant charm warmed hearts wherever she went.

Jane grew up in St. Clair West and attended Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute. She graduated with a Bachelor of Household Science from U of T and later returned to the university in her 40s to earn a Bachelor of Education.

Jane was editor of the Vaughan Road student ACTA yearbook, was voted most likely to succeed and was one year Vaughan’s Queen of the Prom. At Victoria College, she was elected President of the Ladies’ Students’ Association.

A selfless and courageous person, Jane once suffered an appendicitis attack ahead of the Vaughan Road debate finals. Refusing to let her teammates down, Jane arranged for an ambulance to wait outside the school while she delivered the winning speech. This astounding act of courage was later reported in the local paper.  Forty years later, she would give her brother Bob a kidney, helping to extend his life an additional 16 years. For this gift, he gave her a strand of white pearls, a symbol of her selfless love and a deep bond between two siblings.

Jane started working as a Betty Bright, giving cooking demonstrations to promote natural gas ovens for the Consumers’ Gas Company. An exemplary stay-at-home mother for several years and volunteer extraordinaire, she then started a teaching career to help provide for her children. She taught special education and English-as-a-Second Language to new immigrant children for more than 20 years and stayed in touch with several students to the day of her passing.

Jane will be best remembered by her family as the matriarch of her beautiful cottage in Muskoka. She loved to socialize with friends at Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club, where Jane and Dal were often last to leave the dance floor. She treasured her friends from her bridge club (where bridge was rarely played) and investment club (where money was rarely made)!

The family thanks her devoted team of St. Mike’s specialists, especially her G.P. Dr. Noor Ramji, nephrologist Dr. Ziv Harel, urologist Dr. Monica Farcas, and rheumatologist Dr. Laurence Rubin, all of whom gave her extraordinary care. The family is also grateful to have met Jenny Gonzalez Lopez, who provided Jane with compassionate nursing care in the final months of her life. Should you wish to honour Jane, the family suggests that donations be made to the Transplant and Kidney Care Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, M5B 1W8 (416-864-5000) or online at www.stmichaelsfoundation.com.  Jane’s life will be celebrated at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church (230 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto). on Friday, December 16th at 1:00 p.m.  A reception will follow.  Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

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