Jane Evans Erskine, 54 of Langley, transitioned peacefully out of this life on Tuesday, July 24, with her beloved life partner, Susan Tomic, at her side.
Jane surrendered to melanoma after a life richly and fully lived. Born in New York City on Jan. 16, 1958, to the late Branson Erskine and the late Janet Reed Erskine, she spent her early years in Rhinebeck and Germantown, N.Y.
In addition to Susan, she is survived by her brother, Reed Erskine of Bearsville, N.Y., and step-daughters, Marina Mezzogiorno Brown and Chelsea Anderson.
Jane graduated in 1975 from the Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y., with the reputation of having made more mischief than all previous alumnae combined. This reputation paled in comparison to the numerous friendships she developed there, then cultivated and sustained throughout her life.
After completing all the formal education she deemed necessary, she moved to Seattle where she honed her natural abilities as a mechanic and musician.
In 1982, she moved to Los Angeles to amass more friendships, dazzling people with her 1,000 watt smile and inimitable wit. Jane shared her vast knowledge of useless trivia with the television viewing world as Jeopardy champion in 1986.
She returned to the Seattle area in 1992 where she started one of the original Pilates studios, Erskine Fitness, and trained many of the area’s finest instructors. By 2008 she discovered her home to be on Whidbey Island where, once again, she showed her innate entrepreneurial spirit and opened NewEarth Neuro Care (Braintrainers.net) with Susan.
An avid fan of the Seattle Storm they often traveled to their home games on their scooters. Always an advocate to live life to its fullest and pursue health, she was a beekeeper until her final days.
Jane used her dying process to move toward a truly enlightened state. She approached a conscious death with courage and intention. She left this plane with a clean soul and a light heart. Her last days were spent with family and friends and the Enso House staff. All who helped care for her during this time seemed to take away as much joy and healing energy as they gave.
