Jane S. Armstrong

Mz Jane transitioned from her home in Bel Air where she lived for over 60 years to her heavenly one on June 22, 2021. She was surrounded by her daughter, Belinda Cole and her faithful dog, Pebbles. She was 93 years old.

She was born Betty Jane Shaw on August 29, 1927, in Paris Crossing, Indiana, an only child to Lillian and Vernie Shaw. In the 1940s the family bought 80 acres in Westport, Indiana where Jane graduated from Zenus High School in 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Armstrong in 1948. After the birth of their daughter, Belinda in 1949, the family moved to North Vernon, Indiana, and she began working at Muscatatuck State School as a secretary. She had attended a secretarial school in Seymour, Indiana, right out of high school and was very proficient at typing, shorthand and taking dictation. Due to the closing of Jefferson Proving Ground where Bill worked they were forced to move to Maryland in 1958. After purchasing a home in Bel Air, Jane began working as a 10-month secretary at Wakefield Elementary. Promoted to the lead secretary, she opened Bel Air Junior High in 1960 and later opened Bel Air Middle School, now known as Southhampton in 1970. “Mrs. A”, as she was dearly known, retired from Harford County Public Schools in 1990.

Jane was a faithful member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher, Chair of the Kitchen Committee and organized its Golden Anniversary. In 1970, she and Bill, with 4 others, chartered the Harford Region Chapter of the Antique Automobile Association of America. She and her husband Bill drove their antique cars every year in the Fourth of July parades for over 30 years. After retirement, she and Bill spent their days traveling in the camper, touring in their antiques cars, enjoying the ”Indiana Farm ” and volunteering at Rock Spring Retirement Center. Jane and Bill were known for their role as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at schools, nursing homes, retirement centers and the car club. After Bill’s passing, she adopted Forest Hill Elementary School where she substituted, volunteered, baked treats and fed the staff during in-service days. She was loved by staff and students. She never failed to “be there” for anyone who needed a helping hand, a listening ear or an encouraging word. Mz Jane loved her dogs and especially the golden retriever named Mollie whom she took to Forest Hill every day to help in the special reading room. She was selected as one of ”Harford’s Most Beautiful People” in 2005. She loved and was so proud of her grandson and great-grandson.

In 2010, shingles disabled her left leg, but Mz Jane battled back and used a walker continuing a life filled with giving to others. She will be greatly missed by all of those who had the privilege of knowing our one and only Mz Jane.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years and is survived by her daughter, Belinda Cole (Patrick) of Jarrettsville, MD, a grandson, Christopher Cole (Ann Marie) and great- grandson, Vincent Cole of Windsor, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101.