Jane L. Brittan, 94, surrounded by her five sons and family, died Saturday April 12, 2014 at Box Butte General Hospital.
She was born in Omaha, NE on August 29, 1919 to Thomas and Eva (Tierney) Mains. She was raised in Stuart, NE. Her father was connected with the Citizen’s Bank in Stuart until it closed during the Great Depression in 1931. They then moved to O’Neill, NE, where she graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1936.
She went to the University of Nebraska for two years until her father died. She then moved her mother to Denver. It was to her great delight that she sang in the Messiah with the Lamont Singers, and with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. She volunteered as a Red Cross Nurse’s aide during World War II, and was the model for Red Cross nursing recruitment.
She married Charles H. Brittan in 1945 when he came home from the war. They lived in Holdredge, NE for two years prior to moving to Alliance. She enjoyed helping her husband Charles build his career as General Agent for Ohio National Life Insurance until his death in 1995. Six children were born to their union: Stephen Brittan and Charles X. (Carmenza) Brittan of Alliance, Dr. Jeffrey (Connie) Brittan of North Platte, Thomas (Ligia) Brittan of Scottsbluff, and Dr. Andrew (David) Brittan of Nashville. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Jennifer, Arlo, Mario Jr., Francisco, Brittany, Ann, Conor, Mollie, Colin, Erin, Sara, Dominic, Theo, Jane, Owen, Luke, and Beatrice. She had eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Helen (Mario) Serna of Houston, and her husband Charles, as well as her brother Bob, and sister Evelyn.
Jane was a devoted wife and mother. God, family, town, and country were the things that she loved. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She was former President of the Altar Society, President of Box Butte Art Society, and President of Friends of the Library. She was Volunteer of the year in 1985, past president of Music Parents when her son played in the Alliance High School Band, and member of the Community Choir. She was also a member of Legion Club, Arts Council, Red Hats, Carnegie Arts, Box Butte General Hospital Auxiliary, and Knight Museum Partners. She had a remarkable memory and could sing an old song or recite an old poem about almost anything. She was fondly known as the “Picture Lady” at St. Agnes.
She enjoyed sports and was teen tennis champion in High school. She took pleasure in playing golf with her husband and going to Insurance conventions in Europe, Canada, South America, and all over the United States.
After her children were grown, and her husband died, she started painting with watercolor again, and won many prizes for her work, especially her painting of the Alliance Fountain.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Lou Nollette officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Wake services will be held Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Library, Prairie Haven Hospice, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.