Jane Elizabeth Oakley, 85, passed away on January 14, 2025, in Renton, Washington, due to dementia complications. Jane was a remarkable woman, beloved by her family and friends for her independence, resilience, and steadfast loyalty. A lifelong learner, Jane continually explored her spirituality throughout her life. She was a devoted friend, known for cultivating deep, faithful friendships. Jane's passions were as vibrant as her spirit—she found joy in singing and dancing, journaling, and creating mixed-media art.

Born on June 26, 1939 in Newton, Iowa, Jane attended Monmouth College and taught high school biology and English in Illinois. In 1962, she met Leonard Leroy Oakley at the University of Michigan Biological Station, and they married that December. They moved to Silver City, New Mexico, and later to Albuquerque, where Jane taught 9th-grade English while Leonard attended  graduate school. In 1966, they drove up the Alaska Highway towing a home-made trailer to accept teaching positions in Chugiak, Alaska.

From 1969 to 1981, Jane was a stay-at-home mother, raising their sons, Russ and Rick, while working as a substitute teacher and community volunteer. She later held positions with the Alaska Credit Union League and Alaska Pacific Bank, then ran her own training and consulting business, Jane Oakley & Associates, for 17 years.

Jane and Leonard divorced in 1995. Jane completed her Master's Degree in 1998 while splitting her time between her consulting business and working for Resource Solutions at the University of Alaska.

In the 1990s, Jane met James "Jim" Lammie on the dance floor at the Whale's Tale in the Captain Cook Hotel. In addition to dancing, they shared a love of choral music and he encouraged her to join the Anchorage Concert Chorus in 1997. She had sung in high school and college but put her singing on hold until she met Jim 35 years later. They married in 2002.

Jane managed the North Slope Training Cooperative from 2008 to 2017, overseeing the safety curriculum for 130 instructors in 52 companies. She retired in 2018 at the age of 79.

Jane Oakley is survived by her son Russell Oakley and daughter-in-law Monica Foster of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; her son Richard, daughter-in-law Angela Oakley, and grandchildren Andrew, Alexander, and Bradley Oakley of North Bend, Washington; her sister Judy Miller and brother-in-law Ray Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her nephews and their wives, Mark and Becky Miller of Burlington, Vermont and A.J. and Lysander Miller of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Lammie, and former husband, Leonard Oakley.

Jane and Jim were very involved with their respective children spending time with them in Washington, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Colorado. Jim's children considered Jane a member of their families. They are Ricardo and Lauri Galindez of Kailua, Hawaii and their children Kyle and his wife, Kristen, Dedrie and her husband, Josh, and Mateo; Carina and Alex Keen of Marysville, Washington and their children Alexander and his wife Elizabeth, Matthew, and Bradley; Erin Smith, her daughter Jenna Smith and grandson Niko Goodner of Puyallup, Washington; James Jr. and Jeralyn Lammie and their children Nyx and McKenzie of Stillwater, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held on May 10 at Turnagain United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska, with her ashes buried in Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Turnagain United Methodist Church or the Anchorage Concert Chorus.