Jane Alexander, born July 23, 1922 in San Francisco, CA was the daughter of Harry Solen and Irene McCabe. Jane lost her recent battle with Cancer and passed away peacefully on December 14, 2008 surrounded by family and friends.
Her late husband Alfred preceded Jane in death in 1977. After attending Notre Dame High School and Lone Mountain College, Jane served in the United States Navy during World War II. She was honorably discharged in 1945. It was in the service that she met and married her husband of 32 years, Alfred. After living in San Francisco and San Carlos, the family moved to San Anselmo in 1968.
Jane was passionate about her beliefs and involved in many organizations during her life. She was a sustaining member of the California Republican Party, Novato and Marin Republican Women, Federated and National Rifle Association to name a few.
In 1997, Jane received the "Witness of the Year" award from the California District Attorneys Association after the murder of her Aunt, Gertrude McCabe. The book Citizen Jane was written in 1999 and told the extraordinary tale about that time in her life. Helping victims through the judicial trauma and emotional time following a homicide remained a driving force for Jane until the end of her life.
In 2006, she was awarded the State of California's "Minerva" award from Maria Shriver for being an extraordinary crusader for victims' rights and co-founder of "Citizen's Against Homicide".
Jane touched many lives with her strong spirit, fierce opinions and unforgettable personality. Jane's greatest joy was spending time with friends and family in the Butano, her refuge.
Jane is survived by sons William, Michael (Sandra), Scott and daughters Jill Farley, Neansai Magee (Robert) and Kathleen Gunn. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stewart (Aida), Kendra, Christopher, Colleen (Malik), McCabe, Kelsey, Callandra (Gary), Sarah, Jordan, Brendan, Caitlin (Ryan), Graham, and great grandchildren Waverly and Tyler.
Friends are invited to join the family for a Funeral Mass at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA on December 27, 2008. There will be a viewing held at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m.
A reception to follow at San Rafael Joe's, 931 4th Street, San Rafael.
There will be a private interment held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park on December 29, 2008.
Published in the Press Democrat from 12/19/2008 - 12/21/2008.∼Jane Alexander, a longtime Marin County resident whose murder-solving crusade became the subject of a book, magazine articles and TV shows, has died.
Mrs. Alexander died Dec. 14 of kidney cancer at a convalescent hospital in Greenbrae, friends said. She was 86.
It was not until she turned 60 that she forged the identity for which she is most remembered. As a 1994 co-founder of a nonprofit organization called Citizens Against Homicide, she helped solve crimes, opposed paroling convicted murderers and lobbied police departments to stay on top of stalled murder cases.
Mrs. Alexander was born in San Francisco in 1922. After attending Lone Mountain College in San Francisco, she served in the intelligence branch of the Navy during World War II. She was discharged in 1945 and married Alfred Alexander, a banker whom she met in the Navy, according to James Dalessandro, who wrote her biography, "Citizen Jane."
The couple raised a family in San Anselmo. Following her husband's death in 1977, Mrs. Alexander became involved with an old family friend, Thomas O'Donnell, who moved into her San Anselmo home, Dalessandro said.
That's when her life began to take unexpected turns.
In 1983, Mrs. Alexander's aunt, Gertrude McCabe, was murdered during what investigators believed was a botched burglary. McCabe, who was 88, was bludgeoned, stabbed multiple times and choked with a bicycle chain.
Mrs. Alexander was also the victim of a crime around the same time. O'Donnell coaxed her to take out a $200,000 loan on her home and then stole $10,000 and took off. It turned out that O'Donnell also had badly mismanaged Mrs. Alexander's finances. She nearly had to declare bankruptcy and was forced to sell her home.
Mrs. Alexander helped the police track down O'Donnell, and he was convicted and sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
After years of collecting evidence, Mrs. Alexander and investigators convinced prosecutors that O'Donnell also killed McCabe.
During O'Donnell's trial, prosecutors said he was under financial duress and believed Mrs. Alexander would be the main beneficiary of McCabe's estate.
He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, Dalessandro said.
The murder saga launched Mrs. Alexander's campaign to help the families of victims through murder investigations and court battles and to demand the pursuit of cold cases.
"She was a human dynamo," Dalessandro said. "She had an energy, enthusiasm, obsession and commitment to justice that was extraordinary."
In 2006, Mrs. Alexander received the Minerva Award, created by Maria Shriver to honor women who have achieved extraordinary things.
Mrs. Alexander is survived by five children: Jill Farley, Neansai Magee, Kathleen Gunn, William Alexander and Scott Alexander.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Raphael Catholic Church at 1104 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael. Donations may be made to: Citizens Against Homicide, P. O. Box 2115, San Anselmo, CA 94960.
Her late husband Alfred preceded Jane in death in 1977. After attending Notre Dame High School and Lone Mountain College, Jane served in the United States Navy during World War II. She was honorably discharged in 1945. It was in the service that she met and married her husband of 32 years, Alfred. After living in San Francisco and San Carlos, the family moved to San Anselmo in 1968.
Jane was passionate about her beliefs and involved in many organizations during her life. She was a sustaining member of the California Republican Party, Novato and Marin Republican Women, Federated and National Rifle Association to name a few.
In 1997, Jane received the "Witness of the Year" award from the California District Attorneys Association after the murder of her Aunt, Gertrude McCabe. The book Citizen Jane was written in 1999 and told the extraordinary tale about that time in her life. Helping victims through the judicial trauma and emotional time following a homicide remained a driving force for Jane until the end of her life.
In 2006, she was awarded the State of California's "Minerva" award from Maria Shriver for being an extraordinary crusader for victims' rights and co-founder of "Citizen's Against Homicide".
Jane touched many lives with her strong spirit, fierce opinions and unforgettable personality. Jane's greatest joy was spending time with friends and family in the Butano, her refuge.
Jane is survived by sons William, Michael (Sandra), Scott and daughters Jill Farley, Neansai Magee (Robert) and Kathleen Gunn. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stewart (Aida), Kendra, Christopher, Colleen (Malik), McCabe, Kelsey, Callandra (Gary), Sarah, Jordan, Brendan, Caitlin (Ryan), Graham, and great grandchildren Waverly and Tyler.
Friends are invited to join the family for a Funeral Mass at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA on December 27, 2008. There will be a viewing held at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m.
A reception to follow at San Rafael Joe's, 931 4th Street, San Rafael.
There will be a private interment held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park on December 29, 2008.
Published in the Press Democrat from 12/19/2008 - 12/21/2008.∼Jane Alexander, a longtime Marin County resident whose murder-solving crusade became the subject of a book, magazine articles and TV shows, has died.
Mrs. Alexander died Dec. 14 of kidney cancer at a convalescent hospital in Greenbrae, friends said. She was 86.
It was not until she turned 60 that she forged the identity for which she is most remembered. As a 1994 co-founder of a nonprofit organization called Citizens Against Homicide, she helped solve crimes, opposed paroling convicted murderers and lobbied police departments to stay on top of stalled murder cases.
Mrs. Alexander was born in San Francisco in 1922. After attending Lone Mountain College in San Francisco, she served in the intelligence branch of the Navy during World War II. She was discharged in 1945 and married Alfred Alexander, a banker whom she met in the Navy, according to James Dalessandro, who wrote her biography, "Citizen Jane."
The couple raised a family in San Anselmo. Following her husband's death in 1977, Mrs. Alexander became involved with an old family friend, Thomas O'Donnell, who moved into her San Anselmo home, Dalessandro said.
That's when her life began to take unexpected turns.
In 1983, Mrs. Alexander's aunt, Gertrude McCabe, was murdered during what investigators believed was a botched burglary. McCabe, who was 88, was bludgeoned, stabbed multiple times and choked with a bicycle chain.
Mrs. Alexander was also the victim of a crime around the same time. O'Donnell coaxed her to take out a $200,000 loan on her home and then stole $10,000 and took off. It turned out that O'Donnell also had badly mismanaged Mrs. Alexander's finances. She nearly had to declare bankruptcy and was forced to sell her home.
Mrs. Alexander helped the police track down O'Donnell, and he was convicted and sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
After years of collecting evidence, Mrs. Alexander and investigators convinced prosecutors that O'Donnell also killed McCabe.
During O'Donnell's trial, prosecutors said he was under financial duress and believed Mrs. Alexander would be the main beneficiary of McCabe's estate.
He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, Dalessandro said.
The murder saga launched Mrs. Alexander's campaign to help the families of victims through murder investigations and court battles and to demand the pursuit of cold cases.
"She was a human dynamo," Dalessandro said. "She had an energy, enthusiasm, obsession and commitment to justice that was extraordinary."
In 2006, Mrs. Alexander received the Minerva Award, created by Maria Shriver to honor women who have achieved extraordinary things.
Mrs. Alexander is survived by five children: Jill Farley, Neansai Magee, Kathleen Gunn, William Alexander and Scott Alexander.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Raphael Catholic Church at 1104 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael. Donations may be made to: Citizens Against Homicide, P. O. Box 2115, San Anselmo, CA 94960.
Jane Alexander, born July 23, 1922 in San Francisco, CA was the daughter of Harry Solen and Irene McCabe. Jane lost her recent battle with Cancer and passed away peacefully on December 14, 2008 surrounded by family and friends.
Her late husband Alfred preceded Jane in death in 1977. After attending Notre Dame High School and Lone Mountain College, Jane served in the United States Navy during World War II. She was honorably discharged in 1945. It was in the service that she met and married her husband of 32 years, Alfred. After living in San Francisco and San Carlos, the family moved to San Anselmo in 1968.
Jane was passionate about her beliefs and involved in many organizations during her life. She was a sustaining member of the California Republican Party, Novato and Marin Republican Women, Federated and National Rifle Association to name a few.
In 1997, Jane received the "Witness of the Year" award from the California District Attorneys Association after the murder of her Aunt, Gertrude McCabe. The book Citizen Jane was written in 1999 and told the extraordinary tale about that time in her life. Helping victims through the judicial trauma and emotional time following a homicide remained a driving force for Jane until the end of her life.
In 2006, she was awarded the State of California's "Minerva" award from Maria Shriver for being an extraordinary crusader for victims' rights and co-founder of "Citizen's Against Homicide".
Jane touched many lives with her strong spirit, fierce opinions and unforgettable personality. Jane's greatest joy was spending time with friends and family in the Butano, her refuge.
Jane is survived by sons William, Michael (Sandra), Scott and daughters Jill Farley, Neansai Magee (Robert) and Kathleen Gunn. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stewart (Aida), Kendra, Christopher, Colleen (Malik), McCabe, Kelsey, Callandra (Gary), Sarah, Jordan, Brendan, Caitlin (Ryan), Graham, and great grandchildren Waverly and Tyler.
Friends are invited to join the family for a Funeral Mass at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA on December 27, 2008. There will be a viewing held at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m.
A reception to follow at San Rafael Joe's, 931 4th Street, San Rafael.
There will be a private interment held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park on December 29, 2008.
Published in the Press Democrat from 12/19/2008 - 12/21/2008.∼Jane Alexander, a longtime Marin County resident whose murder-solving crusade became the subject of a book, magazine articles and TV shows, has died.
Mrs. Alexander died Dec. 14 of kidney cancer at a convalescent hospital in Greenbrae, friends said. She was 86.
It was not until she turned 60 that she forged the identity for which she is most remembered. As a 1994 co-founder of a nonprofit organization called Citizens Against Homicide, she helped solve crimes, opposed paroling convicted murderers and lobbied police departments to stay on top of stalled murder cases.
Mrs. Alexander was born in San Francisco in 1922. After attending Lone Mountain College in San Francisco, she served in the intelligence branch of the Navy during World War II. She was discharged in 1945 and married Alfred Alexander, a banker whom she met in the Navy, according to James Dalessandro, who wrote her biography, "Citizen Jane."
The couple raised a family in San Anselmo. Following her husband's death in 1977, Mrs. Alexander became involved with an old family friend, Thomas O'Donnell, who moved into her San Anselmo home, Dalessandro said.
That's when her life began to take unexpected turns.
In 1983, Mrs. Alexander's aunt, Gertrude McCabe, was murdered during what investigators believed was a botched burglary. McCabe, who was 88, was bludgeoned, stabbed multiple times and choked with a bicycle chain.
Mrs. Alexander was also the victim of a crime around the same time. O'Donnell coaxed her to take out a $200,000 loan on her home and then stole $10,000 and took off. It turned out that O'Donnell also had badly mismanaged Mrs. Alexander's finances. She nearly had to declare bankruptcy and was forced to sell her home.
Mrs. Alexander helped the police track down O'Donnell, and he was convicted and sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
After years of collecting evidence, Mrs. Alexander and investigators convinced prosecutors that O'Donnell also killed McCabe.
During O'Donnell's trial, prosecutors said he was under financial duress and believed Mrs. Alexander would be the main beneficiary of McCabe's estate.
He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, Dalessandro said.
The murder saga launched Mrs. Alexander's campaign to help the families of victims through murder investigations and court battles and to demand the pursuit of cold cases.
"She was a human dynamo," Dalessandro said. "She had an energy, enthusiasm, obsession and commitment to justice that was extraordinary."
In 2006, Mrs. Alexander received the Minerva Award, created by Maria Shriver to honor women who have achieved extraordinary things.
Mrs. Alexander is survived by five children: Jill Farley, Neansai Magee, Kathleen Gunn, William Alexander and Scott Alexander.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Raphael Catholic Church at 1104 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael. Donations may be made to: Citizens Against Homicide, P. O. Box 2115, San Anselmo, CA 94960.
Her late husband Alfred preceded Jane in death in 1977. After attending Notre Dame High School and Lone Mountain College, Jane served in the United States Navy during World War II. She was honorably discharged in 1945. It was in the service that she met and married her husband of 32 years, Alfred. After living in San Francisco and San Carlos, the family moved to San Anselmo in 1968.
Jane was passionate about her beliefs and involved in many organizations during her life. She was a sustaining member of the California Republican Party, Novato and Marin Republican Women, Federated and National Rifle Association to name a few.
In 1997, Jane received the "Witness of the Year" award from the California District Attorneys Association after the murder of her Aunt, Gertrude McCabe. The book Citizen Jane was written in 1999 and told the extraordinary tale about that time in her life. Helping victims through the judicial trauma and emotional time following a homicide remained a driving force for Jane until the end of her life.
In 2006, she was awarded the State of California's "Minerva" award from Maria Shriver for being an extraordinary crusader for victims' rights and co-founder of "Citizen's Against Homicide".
Jane touched many lives with her strong spirit, fierce opinions and unforgettable personality. Jane's greatest joy was spending time with friends and family in the Butano, her refuge.
Jane is survived by sons William, Michael (Sandra), Scott and daughters Jill Farley, Neansai Magee (Robert) and Kathleen Gunn. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stewart (Aida), Kendra, Christopher, Colleen (Malik), McCabe, Kelsey, Callandra (Gary), Sarah, Jordan, Brendan, Caitlin (Ryan), Graham, and great grandchildren Waverly and Tyler.
Friends are invited to join the family for a Funeral Mass at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA on December 27, 2008. There will be a viewing held at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m.
A reception to follow at San Rafael Joe's, 931 4th Street, San Rafael.
There will be a private interment held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park on December 29, 2008.
Published in the Press Democrat from 12/19/2008 - 12/21/2008.∼Jane Alexander, a longtime Marin County resident whose murder-solving crusade became the subject of a book, magazine articles and TV shows, has died.
Mrs. Alexander died Dec. 14 of kidney cancer at a convalescent hospital in Greenbrae, friends said. She was 86.
It was not until she turned 60 that she forged the identity for which she is most remembered. As a 1994 co-founder of a nonprofit organization called Citizens Against Homicide, she helped solve crimes, opposed paroling convicted murderers and lobbied police departments to stay on top of stalled murder cases.
Mrs. Alexander was born in San Francisco in 1922. After attending Lone Mountain College in San Francisco, she served in the intelligence branch of the Navy during World War II. She was discharged in 1945 and married Alfred Alexander, a banker whom she met in the Navy, according to James Dalessandro, who wrote her biography, "Citizen Jane."
The couple raised a family in San Anselmo. Following her husband's death in 1977, Mrs. Alexander became involved with an old family friend, Thomas O'Donnell, who moved into her San Anselmo home, Dalessandro said.
That's when her life began to take unexpected turns.
In 1983, Mrs. Alexander's aunt, Gertrude McCabe, was murdered during what investigators believed was a botched burglary. McCabe, who was 88, was bludgeoned, stabbed multiple times and choked with a bicycle chain.
Mrs. Alexander was also the victim of a crime around the same time. O'Donnell coaxed her to take out a $200,000 loan on her home and then stole $10,000 and took off. It turned out that O'Donnell also had badly mismanaged Mrs. Alexander's finances. She nearly had to declare bankruptcy and was forced to sell her home.
Mrs. Alexander helped the police track down O'Donnell, and he was convicted and sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
After years of collecting evidence, Mrs. Alexander and investigators convinced prosecutors that O'Donnell also killed McCabe.
During O'Donnell's trial, prosecutors said he was under financial duress and believed Mrs. Alexander would be the main beneficiary of McCabe's estate.
He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, Dalessandro said.
The murder saga launched Mrs. Alexander's campaign to help the families of victims through murder investigations and court battles and to demand the pursuit of cold cases.
"She was a human dynamo," Dalessandro said. "She had an energy, enthusiasm, obsession and commitment to justice that was extraordinary."
In 2006, Mrs. Alexander received the Minerva Award, created by Maria Shriver to honor women who have achieved extraordinary things.
Mrs. Alexander is survived by five children: Jill Farley, Neansai Magee, Kathleen Gunn, William Alexander and Scott Alexander.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Raphael Catholic Church at 1104 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael. Donations may be made to: Citizens Against Homicide, P. O. Box 2115, San Anselmo, CA 94960.
