Jane Lester, age 89, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away on Jan. 20, 2016. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she was the devoted daughter of Dr. Pat M. Nunn and Elsie Nunn. She attended Monticello College and graduated from Northwestern University.

As a young teacher, Jane married John Kirkpatrick, with whom she had five children. A compassionate educator, counselor and global volunteer, Jane was dedicated to making the world a better place. A prolific letter writer, she cultivated friendships wherever she went.

After stops in Boston, Northbrook, Illinois, Lagos, Nigeria and Rolling Hills, California, she settled with her family in Greenwich, Connecticut. Jane faced the illness of her father and the death of her daughter, Janet, with strength, faith and determination, never losing her gentle manner and loving heart. Jane touched many young lives when, as a newly single mother, she earned her master’s degree and returned to teaching.

At the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, she met the late James Lester, with whom she shared 34 fulfilling years of marriage. Jane and Jim’s adventures included camping, hiking, visiting family and friends, and volunteering in Alaska, Ireland, Poland, Romania, and Southeast Asia. They retired to Westport Island, Maine, and later in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they continued their dedication to each other and service to their church and to others.

Jane is survived by sons, David (Elena Sisto) Kirkpatrick of New York, Robert (Myrna) Kirkpatrick of Miami Beach, and Tom (Stacy) Kirkpatrick of Jefferson City, Tennessee; daughter, Karen (Steve Sandstedt) Kirkpatrick of Federal Way, Washington; stepdaughters, Susan Hauser, Amy (Mark Scardiglia) Lester, Martha Lester, Jane (Russ Finley) Lester, and Polly (Jim) Steuert, and beloved grandchildren, Max, Evan, Clara, Jesse, Carly, Lucas, Elizabeth, Ben, Aaron, Zachary, Alexander, Camilo, Lisa and Nina.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Jane Lester be made to Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 211 Topsham, ME 04086 (mcpconline.org), or Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 (heifer.org).

Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc.