Jane Resh Thomas Celebration of Life Aug 15...plus

Your donation will be used for: a modest celebration of Jane Resh Thomas’ life on August 15, an obituary, Jane's final (minor) expenses, AND a donation in Jane's memory to a nonprofit writing or reading organization.

Celebration August 15:

A celebration of Jane Resh Thomas’ life will be held August 15 (Jane’s birthday) from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. program, at Moir Park, 10320 Morgan Ave. S., Bloomington, MN. Bring a dish if you wish. Water and picnic supplies will be provided. Children are welcome; playgrounds are nearby. Everyone is welcome, whether you always agreed with Jane’s views or not.

Jane’s death:

On Monday evening, June 12, surrounded by hundreds of books, Jane closed the book of short stories she planned to discuss at Tuesday’s writing workshop, crawled in bed and fell asleep for the last time.

Jane, 86, was pleased she survived her hospital and rehab center stays in May and appreciated her writer family circling ‘round.

Jane’s only child, Jason, who suffered from depression, died by suicide in 2016.

Jane’s legacy:

Jane’s influence on children’s literature in Minnesota and nationally is legendary. She was a brilliant college instructor, workshop leader, conference speaker, private editor/coach and author of 15 published books. She was instrumental in the founding of the Hamline University’s MFA in writing for children and young adults. She mentored many award-winning authors, including, most well-known, Kate DiCamillo and, most recently, Daniel Bernstrom. She believed in us all.

Jane received numerous awards, including the Minnesota Book Award (twice) and the U of M Kerlan Award for contributions to children’s literature. She was also influential as a children’s book review newspaper columnist for a couple of decades in the Minneapolis Tribune and elsewhere.

An obituary:

The Pioneer Press wrote a news story about Jane’s death. The Star Tribune declined to write a news story. Because Jane has no family to pay for an obit, funds are needed for that.

Donation:

Thank you for considering donating to this fund (for this event, a Star Trib obit, Jane’s final expenses, and a donation to a writing or reading nonprofit).

For more info, contact: Theo Olson, Jane’s executor, at [email redacted]

Or Julie Evans at [email redacted].

Thank you from “the Muskrats,” Jane’s last writers’ workshop members (Shari A., Laurie J., Katy G., Joy K., Julie E. and Theo O.)