Jane Gifford Kemp

Jane Gifford Kemp, 97, of Kent, Ohio passed away on August 3, 2022 at Kentridge Senior Living. She was born in Kent on September 13, 1924 to parents George and Ethel (Carr) Gifford.

Jane graduated Roosevelt High School, Class of 1942, attended Kent State University from 1942-1944, Flora Stone Mather College (Case Western Reserve University) 1944-1946 where she earned her Bachelor’s in Art History, then back to Kent State in 1966-1967 earning a Bachelor’s in Education. She taught second grade at Franklin Elementary School in Kent from 1967-1979.

On December 28, 1945 Jane married Donald R. Kemp who she met at Captain Brady’s while both were attending Kent State. After a few years working in Cleveland they moved to Kent in 1949 where Don partnered with Jane’s father at the Gifford Buick dealership in Kent. After the sudden passing of her husband in 1965, Jane devoted her life to raising her three sons while teaching second grade at Franklin Elementary School, filling the role of both mother and “father” for 57 years.   A lover of anything outdoors, especially summer sunshine, Jane was an ardent golfer in both Kent and Florida playing well into her 80’s.  Jane had three holes-in-one and modestly joked that they were inspiration for each son to experience their first!  Jane was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Cleveland Indians, who she faithfully followed on both television and radio. 

Jane was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her sons, Robert (Dee) of Kent, James (Liya) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Thomas (Amy) of Richmond, Virginia; grandchildren, Benjamin (Cynthia), Emily (Jason) Cetovich, Lauren (Brian) Lawson, Amy (Mark) Bliley, and Robbie (Mary Catherine); great grandchildren, Sierra, Avery, Cami, Joss, Bobby, Abby, Annie, Win, and Nate.

Private family services will be held. The family would like to thank Traditions Hospice and Kentridge Senior Living for their loving care. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Kent United Church of Christ or Traditions Hospice of Cuyahoga Falls. 

Services in care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. 

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