
Jane Rippe Eckhardt
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Jane Rippe Eckhardt of Dorset, Vermont passed away on August 24, 2022 at Equinox Terrace at the age of 88. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Albert J. Eckhardt Jr. (Al), her three children and eleven grandchildren. Jane was the daughter of Gertrude Demuth, and William Rippe, who died when she was eighteen months old. Her widowed mother married a Cornell classmate of her father, Walker Cisler, but Jane and her brother Dick kept the Rippe name. Her early years in West Orange, New Jersey were followed by her high school years in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where Jane excelled in sports and was voted "Best Girl Athlete" when she graduated. Following her father and brother, Jane enrolled at Cornell University where she joined Alpha Phi sorority. Jane was the President of her class and also served as Secretary of the Student Council. It was also at Cornell where she met her future husband, Al, who was a year ahead of her. After graduation, Jane moved to Paris, France to work as a translator and aid to the President of a large French equipment manufacturer. In 1956, Jane and Al married, and they then lived in Kitzingen, Germany, until Al's military service obligation was completed. After Germany, they settled in Tenafly, New Jersey. Jane focused on her young children during their early years, and during that time she earned the first of her master's degrees, this one in Environmental Science. Jane was also a very active board member of the Tenafly Nature Center and became well known as an accomplished birder. In 1969 through 1972 the family moved to Switzerland, a time that Jane loved, and she made many friends with whom close contacts continued. Upon returning to Tenafly, Jane volunteered to become the head librarian at the private Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, New Jersey. This new job prompted Jane to earn her second master's degree, this one a Master of Library Science. After retiring in 2005, Jane and Al moved to Dorset, an area they knew well, having in 1982 purchased a slope side condominium in Bromley Village. Jane soon became Bird Chairman of the Garden Club of Manchester, enjoyed a local book club with friends, many from the Dorset Field Club, and served a term on the Dorset Library Board. Along with her husband, she is survived by her children and their families: Fritz (Alexandra) Eckhardt of Shaftsbury, Vermont and their children Julian (Andrea), Derrek (Caitlin), and Anya (Anthony); Julie (Steve) Allen of Dorset, Vermont and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and Jack (Caroline), Ned, and Will; and Martha (Tony) Westbrook of Binghamton, New York, Georgia, Lily, Kenneth, Phoebe, and Paul. Jane is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Marianne Rippe, and her sister-in-law Doris Proctor, and nieces, nephews and friends from every phase of her life. Al and her family would particularly like to thank the broad support team helping them in Jane's recent years, including, but not limited to, the following: Dr. Kim Fodor of Bennington, the special team of caregivers, Lori Martelle, Megan Hewes and Elaine Baker, and the caring and supportive team of the Rose Wing at Equinox Terrace. Thank you also to Alex Sands and the Vermont Nursing Association, and the volunteers who helped Jane. A private family celebration of life will be held at a future date. Donations to the Second Chance Animal Center in Jane's memory are appreciated.

