Jane's family has requested all
who want to donate in Jane's honor should contact the Polycystic
Kidney Foundation
 Tom
Gulotta, former NC Executive, Jane Gitlin, Honoree Long Island
Women Today Making A Difference, Elaine Conway, Director,
NYS Division For Women, Libby Pataki, First Lady NYS and Eileen
Tanne, ET Connections and Founder, www.liwomen.com
To submit your tribute to Jane, please send
text copy with no more than 100 words to info@liwomen.com
Tributes to Jane Gitlin
It’s very unlike Jane to lose a fight. That’s
why even though she was sick for so very long and endured
so very much more that anyone ever should, I don’t think
many of us would have bet against her coming out a winner
in this last battle. I think Jane assigned me the job of eulogizing
her because she knew she’d been my hero for over 25
years. The thing is I’ll bet 90% of us here today feel
the same way. That’s because Jane had the heart of a
writer, the soul of an activist, the tenacity of a marathon
runner, the mind of a scholar and the warmth of your best
friend.
According to her sister, Jane was a total tomboy in elementary
school. From the moment her grandmother Mema handed her a
tennis racquet at age six, she was a natural. It is said that
an all woman experience at a young age shapes leadership and
the 11 wonderful summers Jane spent at Chimney Corners Camp
in Becket illustrates that. She rode horses, played softball,
participated in archery, riflery, and tennis. Her affinity
for nature was formed there, as was her lifelong love of picking
blueberries! In a vision of what was to come, both she and
Joan won the Award for being most helpful to the school at
Plant Junior High graduation. (more...)
Jane was a wonderful human being and I am grateful
for her caring and mentoring. She would call or email occasionally
to give me a You Go Girl! I will always treasure my personal
memories of the nurturing woman who inspired the birth of
this website.
Eileen Tanne
Founder
www.liwomen.com
Jane has been my friend for over 20 years. I
remember so many things. When she owned the Woman's Record
I was looking for a good Dr. for a mammography. She told me
to go to the one who always advertised in her paper. 'They
are great, she said. And, they pay their bills!' I have been
going there for 18 years. The same day she was released from
the hospital with her first kidney transplant, she came home
and cooked dinner for four of us. She was bent over in pain
but would not allow us to help. We laid in bed together once
when I slept over, both naked, while I scratched her broken
out body.
We both looked at each other and said, 'only
us.' She took me out for my
birthday a few years ago and, while on heavy medications,
schlepped me to
Macy's and bought me my first ever pair of mary janes which
I have worn to a pulp. She got my daughter a job interview,
ultimately the job, when she
brought a phone into intensive care. I made a Passover Seder
for her and
brought it to North Shore Hospital. We did the best Seder
ever; didn't
skip a line. I really enjoyed watching her eating those matzo
balls. She
made a party years ago, called "The I Love You"
party. I know a lot of you
who write here will remember being there and making a circle
and hearing
Jane say 'how lucky SHE was.' WE are the lucky ones. For never
will there
be another icon like Jane. I truly believe that every wonderful
woman I
know during these past 21 years has been a result of being
introduced by
Jane at some point in time. I miss her every single day and
am so blessed
to have been a part of her life and her family's life. Oh,
yes, one more
thing. I drove Jane to Hackensack Hospital 10 days after her
2nd transplant
for her check-up. A man who had his transplant one month before
was sitting next to us. He was complaining and Jane said,
'deal with it. It could be worse.' That's Jane.
And, for all of you who were blessed with her
friendship you know that she
always asked how YOU were feeling first; even when she was
so close to
death. Knock 'em out in Heaven, sweetie...We will miss those
'smooches'
Love, Ellen Eichelbaum
I had the pleasure of meeting Jane over twenty
years ago during my early years as a public relations officer
and as a columnist. Her warm and compassionate ability to
connect all women on Long Island was invaluable. Her willingness
to share resources and give a helping hand when needed was
exceptional. She will always be remembered as one of our distinguished
s/heroes.
Patricia Hill Williams
When I met Jane I was just starting my company
and had little business
savvy. I felt honored she¹d always remember my name --
me, a small company -- a nobody. Yet she freely offered encouragement
and praise. How she navigated the corporate world making things
happen! By her example she inspired me to reach higher, get
involved and make a difference. Because of Jane, I now know
that I can. Though she never knew it, she was my mentor --
what a legacy to leave!
Dorothy Cardi
I'll start at the end of her life...where
her legacy on Long Island was so apparent. At the memorial
service we all came together...all the LI women she had touched
and gathered together in her life....so we could pay homage
to her. How would I have known, and known so well, so many
of the women at the memorial service, if not for her?
Her passion to help women was palpable. Her
enthusiasm to make connections among us was never wavering.
She called me as soon as the Long Island's Women's Agenda
was formed to tell me that was the perfect organization for
me to get involved in....and I did!
As host of WHLI's Speaking Now, I invited her
as a guest many times. She was always eager to share her "take"
on women's issues..especially breast cancer. In all the years
I knew her, she never failed to make me feel special....as
she did the hundreds of people she knew. Always a kind word..always
acknowledging who I was...and my particular contribution to
the women's community.
In Jane's life, she consciously wove a thread
through us...ever connecting us closer. Her legacy, forever
more, will be the invisible thread that remains viable through
her heartfelt connections....and ours.
Duffy Spencer
This is indeed exceedingly sad news. I never
knew Jane on a personal level, but her impact on me was nonetheless
profound. I remember back when I first learned about networking
and started to attend Long Island Center meetings. Jane was
one of a small group of women who I wanted to emulate. She
was then well-known for her publication, The Women's Record.
I never imagined that I could have an impact on other women,
the way Jane influenced me. But her example has remained in
the back of my mind as I make my way in the world. I remember
seeing Jane at so many Long Island Center Achievers' Awards
dinners, and her vibrant smile always lit up the room. No
matter what challenges she was facing, she never complained
and always maintained a wonderful public face. I always felt
that she was a woman of great depth, and someone whose love
of life created an aura around her for all to see. Jane remains
a leader for all who were lucky enough to have her cross their
paths.
Mindy Ferrentino Wolfle
Being a newcomer to Long Island, I began to
network and I soon learned of Jane Gitlin, and of her impact
to our Long Island community. When I think of Jane, I think
of her smile and sincerity - for she always had a broad smile
for me whenever I would see her at The Long Island Center
for Business & Professional Women's networking dinner
meetings and other forums. We never did have a chance to develop
a deeper friendship but her example, genuiness and warmth
impacted my belief in achieving and my commitment to follow
in her footsteps towards advocating for women's educational
and business growth. I, as well as our LI Community, will
always hold Jane in our hearts. Jane was honored by the LI
Center in 1991 as an Achiever and role model for women. Jane's
spirit, determination and commitment lives on in all of us.
I am honored to have walked in her circle, experienced her
light and to have been among those who can say they knew her.
We will all miss you, Jane.
Jeanine L. Bondi
President Emeritus
Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women
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