Obituary
Jane Teresa Miaso was born in Chicago on April 15, 1929, to Sofia Niemiec and Walter Miaso,
both immigrants from southeast Poland. She grew up with loving siblings Stella (Hudak), Walter
Jr. (Jed), John, and Dolores (Werner). Jane worked through high school and college as a
switchboard operator at the phone company in order to earn a teaching degree at then
Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now NIU). ANer graduaOon, she traveled to Molokai,
Hawaii, to teach school on the Navy base. She met Charles N. (Chuck) Watkins, another Illinois
transplant; they married and moved first to Oahu and then to Kauai. Children Nancy (Jack) Miles
and the late James Watkins were born there. Chuck’s pineapple career took them next to
Arecibo, Puerto Rico, where Jane taught school at Colegio Evangelico Capitán Correa and then
for DODS at Ramey AFB in Aguadilla. While there, Jane earned her Master’s degree at Inter
American University. When Ramey downsized, Jane began teaching at the elementary school at
Roosevelt Roads Naval Air StaOon in Ceiba, PR. Chuck was growing pineapple in Thailand by
then, so once Nancy and James were in college, Jane went with DODS to Nuremberg, Germany,
where she taught school for another 15 years. While in Europe, she was able to travel to many
countries.
ReOrement took her to Sedona, AZ, a place she loved and where her younger sister Dee lived.
Always wanOng to stay busy, Jane worked for some years at an independent theater known for
its large screen and special showings of Sedona films. Over the years she also worked at an Inn
owned by her sister and at the local Holiday Inn. Bridge was a lifelong love, and she saved her
aNernoons for several bridge groups.
In 2014, Jane made the decision to move to Winter Park, FL, to be closer to her daughter and
son-in-law. She was welcomed by their circle of friends and became busy with bridge, pouring
tea at The Woman’s Club, and reading 3-4 books per week. Many trips to New York City were
also a part of her Florida life. Three years ago, Jane moved into The Grove at Trelago Assisted
Living program and found a community of social Ome and caring staff and residents.
Jane was predeceased by her son James, his son Charles Bedell, and two nephews. She leaves a
granddaughter, Jess Miles of NYC, and granddaughters Amber King, Sterling White, and KaOe
Culpepper, and several great-grandchildren.
Our thanks to friends near and far who have meant so much to Jane.
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