Jane H. Filerman

Jane Harding Filerman passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado on June 16, 2024, not long after relocating to Fort Collins from McLean, Virginia where the family had lived for 55 years. She had been dealing with Alzheimer's disease for eight years.

Jane was born in Bismarck, North Dakota in 1936, the younger of two daughters born to Harry ("HD") and Veronica Harding. Growing up she was recognized by fellow students and friends as a leader, talented musician, excellent student, a loyal friend and a fast wit, all of which served her well throughout her life and won her friends everywhere she lived and traveled. She received her BSN in 1959 from the University of Minnesota and her MSN in 1981 from Catholic University. She always considered herself a daughter of North Dakota, an environment that made her very hardy and hard working, and gave her a sense of adventure. She was always up for anything.

Jane had an extraordinary career in nursing and health services, starting as a young supervisor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. Moving to the DC area she joined the staff at Sibley Hospital and later at Inova Fairfax Hospital before moving to the NIH as a clinical researcher. Jane's last adventure was over 20 years with the Central Intelligence Agency.

She and Gary Filerman were married in 1962. To Gary, she was a unique combination of a beautiful woman with a quick sense of humor, high intelligence and shared interests. Their union resulted in three children and many friends in the US and in the many countries to which their careers took them.

Jane is remembered well in many different ways. To guests and visiting colleagues she was a gracious hostess. To her tennis buddies and her bridge partners, she was sharp, consistent, and again, a lovely hostess. To her neighbors she was medical advice, a warm house, and an unpretentious optimist. She was a close and trusted friend, accepting and welcoming to all. She embraced spontaneity and opportunities to explore and enjoy life. She enjoyed the outdoors and often spoke of the beauty of her home state and some of its quirky recreational opportunities. She loved tennis, had a great singing voice, enjoyed playing the piano, loved French culture, and was a terrific cook. She just barely kept her kids out of mischief, mostly because she herself was of a spontaneous spirit and a curious mind, as well as a generous and forgiving heart.

As Alzheimer's peeled away her layers, she remarkably remained Jane; she loved a good joke, was a champion of "zingers," and saw the bright side of everything and everyone, right up until the day she passed.

She is survived by her loving husband Gary and her children Amy (Hahn) of Fort Collins, CO; Suzanne of Carbondale, CO, and Joseph of Strasburg, VA. She has two grandchildren, Joseph Jr. and James, both in Virginia.

The family asks that in her memory, donations be made to the Jane Harding Filerman Memorial Fund c/o The North Dakota Community Foundation. The fund is dedicated to conserving western North Dakota's beautiful landscapes. Here is a link to the fund. https://ndcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=8556

If you would like to make a donation by check, the address is:
Jane Harding Filerman Memorial Fund
c/o North Dakota Community Foundation
P. O. Box 387
Bismarck, ND. 58502