Jane W. Gott's Obituary
Our Mom, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Jane Wright Gott, the heart of our family, lived an eventful, rich, giving, and loving life, which she shared with all of us. She left us to meet God and our Dad, Richard F. Gott, in heaven on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.
Jane was born in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20, 1924, to her loving parents, Jacob Turpin Lockwood Wright and Madelle Hoagland. She grew up in Maryland on a farm in Colesville with her brother, Lockwood. They supported each other when they lost their mother as young children and formed a strong bond that endured their entire lives.
After graduating from Central High School in Washington, D.C., Jane worked her way through undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland. She contributed to the World War II effort by working as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory building fuses for bombs. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in social work, and taught elementary school in Maryland at both public and Catholic Schools.
While in college, Jane met Richard F. “Dick” Gott of Forest Glen, Maryland the love of her life and her soul mate. With him at her side, Mom became a Catholic and they married July 9, 1948. She gave birth to seven children; their first daughter died during delivery. Together they raised six children, Madelle Ann, Mary Estelle, Therese Marie, Jane Augusta, Richard Joseph, and Elizabeth Denise. Jane bequeathed many legacies to her children, including love of family, strong faith, and enthusiasm for history, antiques, gardening, and nature.
As her children became teenagers, Jane volunteered at the International House in Washington, D.C., and entertained diplomats and military officers from around the world. In 1974, Jane opened The Antique Corner, which became a passion she shared with her husband, brother, and children. Her first shop was in Wheaton, Maryland. Four years later, Jane’s husband retired from his career with the U.S. Navy. They retired to Lewes, Delaware, where they had vacationed with their family for years because of their abiding love of the beach and the sea.
In Lewes, Jane found her dream home, a beautiful Italianate Victorian-era house built in 1872 on Kings Highway. Jane’s growing family gathered at home often and her grandchildren grew up spending holidays and summers with her. The Antique Corner soon opened on Second Street in downtown Lewes, where Jane and Dick became vibrant members of the Lewes community and made many friends.
Jane’s parents, brother, Lockie, and beloved husband, Dick, preceded her to heaven. She is survived by her children: Madelle Tolbert and husband, Dan, of Frederick, Maryland; Mary Saltarelli and husband, Joe, of Granbury, Texas; Therese Banz; Jane Bakke and husband, Troy; Richard J. Gott; and Elizabeth Gott, all of Lewes.
Jane is also survived by her grandchildren: Rebecca Klein and husband, David; Jacob Melson and partner, Amanda Lee; Maddy Tolbert and fiancée, Patrick Hawes; Elise Tolbert; Amy Tolbert Harris and husband, Brett; Christopher Banz; and Jeb Bakke. And she is survived by five great-grandchildren: David, Beren, and Seifer Klein, Vincent Lee, and Oliver Melson. Jane left behind her dear Westie, Brae, to take care of her family.
Very special thanks and much love go to Mom’s caregivers for several years: Beth Gott, Jane Bakke, Terry Banz, and Jeb Bakke. Because of them and their loving care, Mom got to leave for heaven from her beloved sunroom atop her home.
A Viewing and Visitation with the family will be held Friday, March 13, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11 AM at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE, followed by burial at St. Peter’s Cemetery on Pilottown Road.
In lieu of flowers, Jane requested memorial donations to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, http://www.aspca.org/donate (select Memorial Gift), or Catholic Relief Services, http://www.crs.org/donate/celebration-gifts/e-cards/ (select In Memory).
Please sign Jane's online guestbook at this site.
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