Jane Blackson Stanton

CONNER – Jane B. Stanton, 86, of Conner passed away from pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at home while surrounded by family. She was born May 18, 1939, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, daughter of the late Thomas and Mildred Blackson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold F. Stanton, and her older brother, Gary Blackson. She is survived by her daughter and her partner, Amy Stanton and Brian Cannon of Kent, WA; her son and his wife, Will and Emily Stanton of Salt Lake City, UT; two grandchildren, Sam and Claire Nelson, of Kent, WA; and her brother and his husband, Herbert Blackson and Louis Gonzales.

Jane earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hood College. While a student, she met her future husband, Harold who was stationed at nearby Fort Detrick. He courted her with a bouquet of violets and tickets to the Newport Jazz Festival. The couple married and enjoyed a rich life together for fifty years.

Jane earned a Master’s in Fine Arts from the University of Montana, specializing in printmaking. She taught junior high art classes in Rock Springs, WY.

After nine years of marriage, the couple concluded they would likely remain childless, so they adopted two St. Bernard dogs and a Siamese cat. Shortly afterward, they welcomed their daughter, Amy, into the world, who was then followed by their son, Will.

Jane loved big dogs and, over the years, counted St. Bernards, Irish Wolfhounds and Bergamascos as part of her family. She also made a home for multiple rescue cats. Jane enjoyed camping and fly-fishing, traveling, cooking, reading mysteries, creating beautiful quilts, playing cards and entertaining friends.

Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to Conner. She was a member of Darby’s St. Philip Catholic Church for thirty-five years as well as the Happy Gardener Club.

A Memorial Mass for Jane will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Hamilton. There will be a reception immediately following the service in the Daly-Leach Chapel Community Room.

The family suggests that memorials be made in her name to the Humane Society of Western Montana. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.