Sutton, Massachusetts: Jane Keown Oliver, 74, of
Sutton, passed away on April 12, 2024 after an illness. Jane was the
daughter of the late Arthur D. Keown Sr. and the late Astrid C.
(Carlson) Keown. She is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years,
Kris J. Oliver.
From a young age, it was apparent that Jane was very talented
musically and even as a child was a pianist but was especially
recognized for her beautiful voice; she studied and became a
classically trained singer and celebrated soloist. She graduated from
the Northfield Mount Hermon School in 1968 and from Lawrence
University in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1972 (she also attended their
Conservatory of Music). While Kris was in graduate school, Jane
enjoyed working at the Lexington Savings Bank in Lexington,
Massachusetts and had many friends there, however most of her life
was spent helping to operate Keown Orchards in Sutton, Massachusetts.
One of her lifelong achievements was ensuring that the land, which
had been in her family for generations, is now permanently in an
agricultural preservation restriction (APR) which means it will
always remain agricultural land and is now owned and operated by Ken
and Lisa Foppema and their family of Foppema’s Farm.
Up until her illness, Jane served as Music Director at Epworth
United Methodist Church in Worcester, of which she was also a
lifelong member as well as a member of Harmony Circle for 41 years.
Later in life Jane enjoyed picking and arranging flowers for
Foppema’s Farm in Northbridge. In her spare time, Jane had a
passion for amateur (ham) radio - call sign N1PVT - and for years
served as a Net Operator on the YL International Single Side-band
System (YLISSB). She also loved traveling to ham radio conventions
with her beloved niece Skye Beth. Over the years they drove to
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee and Florida; visited old friends and
met new ones from all over the country.
In addition to her husband, Jane is survived by a son; Daniel K. Oliver and by a
daughter Rebecca J. Randolph and her husband Tom as well as many
nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.
In addition to her parents, Jane was predeceased by her sister
Anne K. Kinkead and brother Arthur D. Keown, Jr.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 pm at
Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury St., Worcester. In lieu
of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Epworth
United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.