Thursday, March 22, 2007

Jane Orcutt Obituary


Jane Orcutt, 47, an award-winning novelist, died peacefully Sunday morning, March 18, 2007, after battling acute myeloid leukemia since late last year.

Memorial service: Jane's life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Arborlawn United Methodist Church, 5001 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth.

Memorials: Leukemia Society of North Texas, 8111 LBJ Freeway Suite 425, Dallas, Texas 75251.

Jane was born Jan. 25, 1960, in Fort Worth, the daughter of Ben and Doris Hooks. A UT grad, Jane had a broad range of writing and editing skills and was particularly talented at breathing life into historical time periods. She loved to write about Texas and brought a fresh view of the bluebonnet state to her readers worldwide. Jane was a devoted child of God, having authored several Christian novels, including "The Living Stone" and "Lullaby" and "All The Tea in China," which will be published posthumously this forthcoming June. In addition to her own writing work, Jane mentored young writers. Jane was also a Texas Rangers fan.

In 1982, she married Bill Orcutt. They had two sons, Colin and Sam. One of the most important pride and joys in Jane's life was homeschooling her boys for many years. She was dedicated to helping them explore their interests and intellect while allowing them to grow into individual men of their own account.

Jane was a loyal and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, a witty and sought-after friend, and a tender pet owner. Most of all, Jane was a follower and lover of Jesus Christ. She rests safely in His arms now.

The family wishes to thank everyone at Harris seventh-floor oncology and Dr. Assad Dean and Baylor Hospital's Roberts Tower sixth floor and Collins Building fourth floor and special thanks to Dr. Berryman and Dr. Vance for their care and support. All of you are truly gifted at what you do. The family would also like to express appreciation for everyone at PPC for their thoughtfulness and caring deeds.

Survivors: Husband, Bill Orcutt of Fort Worth; sons, Colin Orcutt and Samuel Orcutt; her parents, Ben and Doris Hooks; sisters, Carol Thomson and husband, Bill, and Kay Wiesmann and husband, Dean; nieces, Rachel, Jenny, Dayna and Kelly; and uncle and aunt, Jim and Sue Hooks; and uncle, Paul Cole and his family.

Published in the Star-Telegram on 3/21/2007.

To sign the guestbook: Click here


I find it very odd to be working on books about a woman at a funeral home while I am mourning Jane.

I miss my friend very much. I remember comforting her--and she me--when we lost our beloved dogs. I remember agonizing over the finer points of how to say something in a novel. I remember laughing with her over Seinfeld.

Jane never got around to setting up a web page, but some of her friends are going to do a site for her very soon. As she watches her work continue, I know she'll be pleased that she can honor her Lord on earth even while she's worshipping at his feet.

If you haven't already done so, go to Amazon.com and order her book, ALL THE TEA IN CHINA. I promise you'll love it.

~~Angie

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm praying for you, Angie. So sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Angie, I pray that God will comfort your heart.

Anonymous said...

Angie, I just finished reading my first book written by Jane so I looked her up on the internet to see what else she had written to find that she has passed away. The world lost a gifted writer and I'm sorry I read this after she is gone because I would love to have told her how much I enjoyed her book. My prayers are with you over the loss of your friend.

Janet Filkins