May 20, 2022 |
Although Jane Nelson Beatty was born in Cincinnati, she graduated from Lower Merion High School and has been involved with the local community and WPC for most of her life having been a member here for 60 years. When she graduated from Mt. Holyoke, she went to work as a journalist for Time-Life reporting in the Religion and Science Departments. She later went to graduate school at Penn getting a Master’s in Education and took a position as a Title I reading specialist at Haverford High School.
Here at WPC, she taught Sunday School and was asked by Rev. John Galloway, Sr. in 1970 to write the 100-year history of the church which you can find in our Library. Her love of teaching and care of those less fortunate has translated to many areas. In the early 70’s she was a founding member of Radnor ABC (A Better Chance), part of a national program, offering a challenging high school education to motivated, but disadvantaged students. They live in a house on West Wayne Avenue during the school year and attend Radnor High School. Jane served on the Radnor ABC Board raising funds for the program. She then served on the Radnor Township School Board for 10 years.
In the 1970’s, Jane helped with afterschool tutoring at Presbyterian Children’s Village, now Gemma Services, a longtime WPC partner. She served on its Board in the 90’s, chairing the Board for two years, followed by serving currently on the Advisory Board and tutoring residential students for the last 22 years which speaks to her passion for education and the marginalized.
In 1995 when our CityLights program was founded by Carey Davis, Carey asked Jane to accompany her on a visit to Mitchell School and meet with the principal who jumped on the chance to form a partnership. Mitchell has been our partner through 5 principals and Jane has been on the front lines since the beginning, recruiting volunteers for tutoring, library support, etc. Current principal Stephanie Andrewlevich says, "Jane is a beacon of light and love for the Mitchell School community. Her persistent dedication to securing resources provides a seemingly endless list, including music through violin, laughter through playground equipment and smiles through tutoring."
Jane was married to Ted and has 3 children, 9 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She believes it is the Christian message to share our Time, Talent and Treasure particularly with those in need and she has certainly done that. We have been blessed to have Jane in our community of faith.
