Obituary of Jane d'Avenas

Jane Ellen d’Avenas was the proud daughter of James and Happy Parker, and granddaughter of William D. Boyce (founder of the Boy Scouts of America) and Mary Jane Boyce, and never forgot her family roots in Ottawa, Illinois. She was, however, a true Carmel native. She loved her family, friends, bridge, tennis, cooking, entertaining and being entertained (not necessarily in that order). With her marriage to Comte Bertrand d'Avenas, her world and admirers grew. Ultimately her hosts of adoring family and friends extended from Carmel to Illinois to Boston to France. She overcame her fear of flying to ensure she never missed a party in any of those locations. She was known by many names: Jane Ellen, Yellen, Jellen, Mommy, Granny, JE, Jane, Comtesse, RSG, Ummer, Janie, and Tante Jane Ellen. She will be missed by many, especially by her children: Michel d’Avenas (Forbes Keaton), Pierre d’Avenas, Anne d’Avenas (Jerry Brody), Camille d’Avenas (Biff Smith), and grandchildren Leah and David Weintraub. After a brief illness, she died peacefully in the Carmel house where she was raised and in which she spent the last 40 years making a wonderful home for her family. A celebration of her life will be held in the spring. Memorial contributions can be made to Harlem Academy, New York, where her granddaughter, Leah, is the Middle School Director: www.harlemacademy.org Service Information