Jane passed away Dec. 20, 2020, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Eldest daughter of a Mexican-American family from San Antonio, Texas, she dreamed of experiencing as much of the world as possible. Knowing education and hard work was key, her diligence paid off. J.C. found a home at Princeton, making lifelong friends, and majoring in sociology. At the end of her sophomore year, she unexpectedly became pregnant, having Paul in February of her junior year (she had her best academic semester that spring).
She earned a master’s degree in education from Columbia, worked on Capitol Hill, and for the EEOC in D.C., assisted Latino and Hispanic communities as national director of corporate relations for Anheuser-Busch, became the youngest (and first female Hispanic) owner of an Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship in the company’s history — all before 40, while a devoted mom. She became a filmmaker, actor, playwright, singer, and children’s author; earned a Ph.D. in education; traveled the world; and enjoyed her most treasured role: loving Abuela to her grandchildren.
On Dec. 5, 2019, her 65th birthday, she was diagnosed with non-M3 AML, an aggressive (usually terminal) leukemia. She stayed positive during chemotherapy, beating the odds, with complete remission in October. Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with multiple malignant inoperable brain tumors, with weeks to live. She continued radiating positivity, dying peacefully at home, surrounded by family. J.C. is survived by her son, Paul and his wife, Sarah; grandchildren Amelia and Owen; parents Ricardo and Ramona; siblings Rick, Jerry, Marguerite, David, and John; and numerous relatives.