Jane Olson Hightower

Jane Olson Hightower, respected teacher and active community volunteer, passed away in Pacific Palisades on May 31, 2016, surrounded by family.

Jane was married to Charles Calvin Hightower, who she met in high school in 1938, for 50 years. Charles died in 1989.

Jane was born at home on October 15, 1915 in Sanger, California and celebrated her 100^th birthday in October 2015 with a family party in Brentwood.

Her grandparents, the W.M. Barrs, were members of the original 12 families who helped in founding the community of Sanger, California and Sanger Presbyterian Church.

Jane will be greatly missed by her loving daughters, Linda Hightower and Carol Hightower of Fresno; Sally Hightower Lippin (Richard) of Brentwood; granddaughters Carrie (Mitchell) Kirschner of Oregon; Suzanne (John) Carnaroli of Poway; Kelly (Torrance) Pearce and Nicole (Michael) Burgess of Los Angeles; and Alexandra Lippin of Newport Beach. Jane had seven great grand children; Chase and Katelyn Carnaroli, Elena and Charlie Kirschner, Ava and Dax Pearce and London Burgess.

A teacher by profession, Jane graduated from Sanger High School in 1933, and Fresno State college.

Upon graduation in 1937 she began her teaching career.

Jane and Charles moved the family to La Canada Flintridge where she spent 18 years teaching first grade at La Crescenta Elementary School. During those years Jane was active as a Girl Scout leader, Glendale Delta Gamma Alumni President and volunteered at the John Tracy Clinic.

After living 25 years in La Canada, retirement took Jane and Charles back to Fresno.

There, she became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Delta Gamma Alumni, Fresno State Alumni Association, Los Ninos Guild, the Fresno Arts Center and volunteered weekly at Valley Children’s Hospital.

In 2013 Jane moved to Atria Sr. Living in Pacific Palisades to be near her family residing here.

Jane loved Huntington Lake. As a child her family first camped there and then purchased their cabin in 1929.

Jane was very proud that the Huntington Lake cabin is now home to the family’s fifth generation.

Among the many accomplishments in Jane’s life, she was most proud of her family and her faith.

Her physical absence is replaced with the love, support and direction she gave to her family, friends and community throughout her 100-year lifetime. She was a gentle soul with a beautiful smile. She lived a life of service and love.

Donations in her name may be made to:

Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, California at Donate.valleychildrens.org.