Jane Silling Foard, 92, of Sarasota, Florida, died on July 22, 2014. Jane was born August 12th, 1921, Women’s Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Ocean City, NJ, by her parents, Henry Howard Silling and Eleanor Beisiegel Silling. After graduating with honors from Ocean City High School, Jane moved to Philadelphia, where she lived at the YMCA and worked as a secretary at Hutchinson, Rivinius, and Co, insurance firm.

On May 16, 1942, Jane married Boatswains Mate 3rd Class (BM3) John Stager Foard, USNR, son of one of the firm’s partners, at Covan’s Christian Church in Baltimore, MD. After WW II, then Lieutenant Junior Grade Foard returned to duty in the US Navy Reserve, TAR. Jane became a committed Navy wife and, with five children, moved the family (often single-handedly) around the country: Rancocous Woods, NJ, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA, Ocean City, NJ, Oswego, NY, Havertown, PA, Houston, TX, and finally, Hanover, MA. After reaching the rank of Commander, USNR, the Foards retired in 1965 to Pensacola Beach, Florida, where Jane was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Gulf Breeze, FL, for 35 years. In 2000, Jane moved to Sunnyside Village in Sarasota, Florida.

Jane is survived by her brother, Henry Howard Silling, Jr. of Denver, CO; by her children: John (& Carla) Foard of North Port, FL, Jane (& Jack) Thompson of Sarasota, FL, Jack (& Desire’) Foard of Lakeland, FL, and Melissa (& Penny) Featherstone of Pensacola, FL; and by 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren currently living in Ocean, NJ; Athens, GA; Schindellegi, Switzerland; Cincinnati, OH; Houston, TX; and Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Pensacola, and Bonita Springs, FL, and many beloved nieces and nephews and godchildren.

Jane was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Eleanor; by her husband, John; by her sisters Betty Avella of Philadelphia, PA, and Carol Mehan of Newport, NC; and by her son, Malcolm Bayard Foard III of Oswego, NY.

In the 1970’s, after providing primary hospice care for her husband, an elderly cousin, and each of her parents, Jane studied at Liberty Bible College and earned an Associate’s Degree, with honors, from Pensacola Junior College, for which she was very proud. Jane worked as a medical secretary for the Tumor Registry at Baptist Hospital, Pensacola. Jane’s thirst for learning was evident throughout her life.

Jane was an enthusiastic member of various women’s clubs, the Girl Scouts, League of Woman Voters, NAACP, and Al-Anon. She enjoyed supporting missionaries and churches, financially and with prayer and service. Jane loved the beach, swimming in salt water, identifying and pressing wild flowers, reading, preparing family meals and having her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around her.

After her son’s death in Oswego, NY, in 1954, Psalm 27 spoke strongly to Jane, especially v 13. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

The dominating force for the last sixty years of her life was serving her Lord and Savior. Through the years she served in the altar guild, taught Sunday school, and lead women’s Bible studies in her home. Her favorite quote was, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” II Cor. 12:9. Her last meaningful words were, “Love matters.”

A celebration Requiem was held at the Church of the Redeemer, Episcopal, in Sarasota, Florida on July 29, 2014. Interment will be on August 23rd in the family plot in Old Drawyers Cemetery, Odessa, Delaware.

The family is grateful for the caring staff at Tidewell Hospice House, Sarasota, for the support provided to our family and for making Jane’s transition as peaceful as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jane’s memory to Tidewell Hospice House, or in support of a missionary program of your choice.