JANE CUTLER

Jane L. Cutler, 74, of Elburn, IL, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  Jane was born on March 15, 1950, in Quincy, IL, to parents, Murlyn and Dorothy Garwood (nee Calhoun). 

Jane was raised in Springfield, IL, and attended local schools, graduating from Springfield High School.  Jane did very well in school, often completing assignments at the last minute but always earning good grades.  She started learning to speak French in High School and eventually became fluent in French as well as several other languages.  She loved to travel the world and meet new people.  Her favorite destination was Cuernavaca, Mexico, where she has some dear friends.  She spoke often of wanting to return to Mexico to see them one last time.   

Jane began college at Milliken University in Decatur, IL, but soon after transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she would eventually graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology.  She then earned her Medical Doctorate at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Jane met her future husband, James, in 1969 while at the U of I.  The two dated for three years before marrying on December 23, 1972, in Springfield, IL.  Jane was a wife and mother, but also enjoyed her time spent outside of the home.  She was always active in her community, and always wanted to do something important with her life.   

Jane used her impeccable grammar and attention to detail to work as a freelance editor for a number of publications, including Vegetarian Times.  In 1993, Jane decided to go back to school to get a law degree.  She attended DePaul University in Chicago earning her law degree in 1996.  After becoming a lawyer, Jane travelled all across Europe to research and gather evidence about war crimes for the war crimes tribunals.  She also helped write a chapter of a book chronicling the war crimes.  When she returned to the states, she used her law degree together with her medical background to review documentation to help provide evidence for cases involving large health care entities.   

One of Jane’s most treasured experiences was when she hosted an exchange student from Ghana, Mimi Forson.  Mimi and Jane formed a tight bond over the six months she lived with the Cutlers and Jane warmly referred to Mimi as her daughter.  Jane was passionate about cooking and baking, winning many culinary awards at the Illinois State Fair, including a Rosette.  Jane had a heart for animals, rescuing many cats over the years, and allowing her children to have a dog, a rabbit, birds, reptiles, fish, and rodents as pets.  

Jane was always on the hunt for a bargain and loved to collect those things she found precious.  She loved garage sales, resale shops and downstate auction-style estate sales.  Her most prized possession is the Elburn house, with its golden oak floors and fixtures, the pocket doors, and the spectacular curved stained glass window. 

The last couple of years before Jane passed, she found joy in a club where she would send and receive postcards from people all around the world.  She sent and received multiple postcards each day.  Jane was vibrant, dynamic, witty, compassionate, and strong-willed, she was never afraid to speak her mind.  After new people met Jane, they would often use the words “interesting” and “fascinating” to describe her and would tell her “I could listen to your stories all day”. 

Jane is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, James Cutler, her three children; Julia (Michael) Boyce, Jason Cutler, and Jill (Robert) Boyce and her seven grandchildren; Clara Boyce, Sean Boyce, Aaron Boyce, Evan Boyce, Clark Cutler, Lucille Boyce, and Jack Boyce. 

Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Murlyn and Dorothy Garwood and her sister Joyce Garwood. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10:00a.m.- 12:00p.m. at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, IL.  A private family burial will take place immediately following the visitation.   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hinsdale Humane Society at the following link https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/donate.  Tributes can be posted on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.