“Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.”
– William Wordsworth
North Augusta, SC - Jane Murray Layman died Saturday, January 31, 2015 after a long battle with emphysema in North Augusta, SC, surrounded by those she loved.
The family will honor her life with a memorial service at 11:30 AM on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Platt’s Belair Road Chapel with the Rev. Dr. J. Andrew Menger and Rev. Charles Key officiating. A reception will follow the services in the events hall at Platt’s Funeral Home.
Jane is survived by her children, Lee “Leah” Layman (Tony Tanksley) of Grovetown, GA, Robin J. Layman (Mark Restum) of Denver, CO, Frederick W. Layman, III (Michelle Ann) of Grovetown, GA, and Jill A. Layman of Menlo Park, CA; her twelve grandchildren; her one great-granddaughter; her brother, Robert A. Murray, Jr. of New Smyrna Beach, FL; and her sisters, Ada Deborah Hartman (Foster B.) of Pittsburgh, PA and Ruth Murray Dewalt of Loudon, TN.
The last of six children, Mary Jane Murray was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Robert A. Murray, Sr. and Ada Parker on June 28, 1933. A naturally effervescent child, Janie or Jane (as she became known to all) attended Brentwood High School, where she was popular among her peers, serving as Head Cheerleader and voted Homecoming Queen of her Senior Class of 1951.
After graduation, the striking young woman began a local modeling career in Pittsburgh, PA and then was selected by TWA for its first training class of stewardesses who did not need a nursing degree as once required by the airline industry. In Chicago for training and homesick for Pittsburgh, Jane readily accepted a marriage proposal from long-time love Frederick William Layman, Jr. (Brentwood Class of 1950, University of Maryland Class of 1955) and never did take flight with TWA, much to the shock of the popular airline.
A romance made for the big screen, the former cheerleader and captain of the football team would move 26 times during the course of their 54-year marriage, following Fred’s career from coaching at Maryland to his many years with General Foods that moved their family of six to Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Colorado, Connecticut, and Georgia, before finally choosing to retire to Augusta, GA.
Jane loved being a homemaker and had a gift of turning a stark new house into a warm and lovely home for her family. A consummate hostess, Jane loved to entertain family friends and business associates and developed a reputation for her creative hors d’oeuvres. Over the years, her homes and decorating ideas have been featured in several local newspapers.
At 39 years of age, Jane discovered a passion (and natural talent) for golf. As a member at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, CO during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Jane became a repeat 9-hole and 18-hole Club Champion. During the next two decades, Jane became Club Champion at five additional golf clubs including Polo Fields Country Club in Cumming, GA, Brookfield West Country Club in Roswell, GA, North Augusta Country Club in North Augusta, SC, Jones Creek Country Club in Evans, GA, and West Lake Country Club in Martinez, GA. Her winnings soon necessitated the addition of a home display case dedicated to her crystal and silver “trophies”. Much to the proud delight of her husband, Jane even one-upped him by scoring three lifetime “Holes-in-One” compared to his two.
As she ended her child-rearing years, Jane’s love of golf filled the void. She turned her creative talents to planning golf events, and thrived as a friend, mentor and playing partner to the ladies on the green. Even as her lung capacity started to decline, Jane would play with a quick hit of oxygen between shots from a tank stowed strategically on her golf cart.
After losing her husband to lung cancer, Jane gave up golf but discovered a new love with James Key, who shared her last years. A native of Augusta, GA and an active Hospice volunteer, James embraced Jane and her family as his own and filled her remaining days with laughter, warmth and companionship.
A strong woman of faith, Jane felt truly blessed by her life and by all those whom she loved and who loved her. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org/donate) or to the Fred Layman Scholarship Fund, payable to UMCP Foundation, Terrapin Club Scholarship Fund, 2707 XFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland 20742, 301-314-7020.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening, February 6, 2015 from 6:30 until 8:30 PM at Platt’s Belair Road Chapel.