Jane Luther Hyde
September 10, 1943 ~ May 6, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Jane Luther Hyde, 65, of 9 Buckingham Court, Asheville, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 6, 2009 of injuries sustained in a tragic accident while gardening.
Ms. Hyde was born in Newport, RI, and was a daughter of Elizabeth "Betty" Simmons Luther of Providence, RI, and the late Elbert "Doc" Luther. She was also preceded in death by a son, Jedidiah Luther Hyde and a brother, David Luther.
Jane received her undergraduate degree from Radcliffe College of Harvard University and a Master's Degree in English from Case Western Reserve University. Her career included teaching English and founding and operating a Montessori school before returning to school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at the age of 50, where she earned her Master's in Library Science. She then joined the staff of Christ School in Arden and became their beloved librarian for 16 years.
Her avocations and activities were many and varied, including international folk dancing, music (especially folk music), reading, gardening, knitting, and writing of letters. She also loved camping and being at the ocean, and spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her daughter, Kate Hyde of Mars Hill; two sons, Zachary Hyde of Boston, MA and Caleb Hyde of Kansas City, KS; her son-in-law, Jake Hollifield; three grandchildren, Leroy, Luther and Daisy Hollifield; her former husband and close friends, Lee Hyde and his wife, Gail of Asheville and their children, Leah, Lem and Avery Hyde of Asheville and True Pike and wife Betsy and son Orion of Charleston, SC; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Packard-Luther of Providence; a niece, Suzanne Luther of Seattle, WA and nephews, Jared and Zachary Luther of Providence.
A memorial service is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday May 12th at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church with Christ School Chaplain Kirk Brown officiating.
The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. Please come and share in a celebration of her life with food, drink, music, and memories. Children are welcome. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to public radio WCQS of Asheville.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting with the arrangements.
Jane was one of the kindest people I have known. Spring flowers will always remind me of her joy and the beauty she found in nature and in people. I will not know another of her caliber.
Jane has been a dear friend to many here at Christ School. She is one of the finest people I have ever known and will be sorely missed.
Jane was unique. She was intellectual, wise, and down-to-earth all at once. She was a friend who could always be depended upon.
Mrs. Hyde is a wonderful person who will be sorely missed by her immediete family, as well as her extended family of Christ School. She is a Beloved member of the community, and will always remain in our hearts. May Mrs. Hyde have found what she always searched for. She recieved the last promise the Lord offered. She will be sorely missed by this community and myself, and never forgotten. Thanks for everything. R.I.P
Your mother was an influence on my life. She shared her love of books, nature, and the pursuit of knowledge with me. That influenece is being passed on to my own children and to those that I have the opportunity to teach. I will think of her when I see an interesting bug, bird, leaf, flower, or a small child with a book. Thank you for sharing your mother with me and so many others.
P.S. I will also remember her every time I tell my children,’Look it up.’ How many times have we all heard her tell us that? I will miss her.
Jane was a free spirit that stood up for what was right and not neccesarily popular. She was a great colleague and friend to the Christ School commmunity. She will be missed.
What a wonderfully loyal, caring, encouraging, supportive and kind friend I had in Jane. I will sorely miss her wit, her intellect and her love…and all the wonderful things we shared. I will always see her in the beauty of the morning sunrise and in nature, and I will remember her whenever I am at the beach. Rest peacefully my friend, and I hope you will always know how much you were loved and appreciated.
As a warm and wise sophomore Jane welcomed me, a shy frosh, to Barnard Hall at Radcliffe College forty-seven years ago. She shared her love of music, literature, and faith, introducing me to folksong (and a short-lived attempt to play the guitar, then the recorder), CS Lewis and the 19th century English novel, and the local Episcopal Church where I was baptised the next year.
Through the years and many visits to Cleveland, Rochester, and Asheville, she always offered me relaxed hospitality and inclusion in the activities of family and friends, whether that was hiking, folk-dancing, or demonstrating.
In between the while, there were intermittant but lengthy letters, packed with the latest news of family and reading. A letter from Jane was an occasion of delight.
I last saw Jane a couple of years ago when she and Barbara Hutter Manford made a completely unexpected visit to me in Dover, suddenly appearing in front of the hospital van taking me to an appointment, banging on the door — I didn’t even recognise them– and identifying themselves, until I let myself be dragged off, and enthralled invited them in.
I will miss Jane — she was a bright thread through my life.
Jane always had a smile and a kind word for me. She was intelligent and wanted to share her knowledge. I liked her a lot and will miss our lunches together.
Thinking so much about Jane I too remember nature, books, peace and mothering and teaching. Montasorri was pretty new in Upper Eash Tn when she began her school. She opened the eyes and minds of many and guided thinking in our little piece of Applachia.
When I piecture her I see her going into my backyard with a cup of tea,a folding chair and a book, just happy to be reading and in the outdoors.
It has been so long since we last visited but we have kept a friendship by mail for which I am grateful.
My heart goes out to you all at this time. I wish I could be there with you.
Each person touches our lives in some way and Jane has touched mine in a special and very unique way.
Jane was a friend and mentor to my son, Jay Tally, when he was a student at Christ School. To Jane’s family and friends, please know that there’s a family in Winston-Salem, N.C., who will always be grateful for her support and will always remember her warmly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the coming days. We are so sorry about the loss of your mother, Kate, and the loss to your entire family. Know that prayers of love, strength and peace surround you all.
Jane, I will miss your long, lovely letters ‘to be read later’ with a glass of wine in hand.
Good-bye, my friend.
Jane, she was the fruit of the Earth.I’m going to miss seeing her out there in her yard. She was a really wonderful woman. The afterlife surely will be a beautiful place to visit knowing Jane beat us there. Something to look forward to.
Jane Hyde,
You are a wonderful soul who always gave to those in need. You extended your friendship and kindness to everyone. We will always remember you and your family in our hearts. Forever and Always, Kimberly W.Olsson
Still miss you, my friend. You will always live in my memory.
Sorry to learn this news. I never would have believed that you’d beat me to the end.