Jane M. Smith

Jane M. Smith, age 78, died after a brief illness on October 4, 2025, in Gainesville, FL. 

Jane is survived by her husband of 46 years, Alan Smith, of Melrose, FL; her daughters, Kimberly L. Welsh (Mandy Taylor) and Tamara L. Powell, her grandchildren, Corey M. Loftis of Pensacola, FL, Lillianne M. Loftis of Jacksonville, FL, one sister, Nancy Masterson (Dave) of Sarasota, FL and one brother, John Mullan (Jan) of Evergreen Colorado, two nephews, Chris Masterson (Foxx Crump) of Norcross, GA and Michael Mullan (Erin) of Wheaton, IL, two nieces, Lindsey Tindall (Alvin) of Ruskin, FL and Melissa Mullan (Evan), of Denver, CO, as well as several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents John and Gertrude Mullan.

Jane was born on November 6, 1946, in Kearny, NJ. She grew up in North Arlington, NJ, where she excelled in school, participated in school musicals and was a baton twirler. She attended Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN, and later graduated from Murray State University, in Murray, Kentucky, majoring in English. This is where she would meet her first husband and go on to have two beautiful girls. After college in 1972, she began working for AT&T in Piscataway, NJ. She divorced in 1978 and met and married Alan in 1979, they just celebrated 46 years of marriage this past July.  The family relocated to Jacksonville, FL with AT&T in 1983 where she continued working until 1998; she stayed on when the company changed to Convergys (formerly AT&T) through retirement in 2002. 

Jane loved to sing; she spent many years singing in the choir at Hodges Blvd Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL; she later sang for another church in Melrose for a bit. She loved to author poems, musical theatre, the symphony orchestra and donated to various environmental and animal causes close to her heart. 

After retirement Jane wanted to pursue her love for Tonkinese cats by showing and becoming a breeder; they sold the house in Jacksonville, FL and purchased five acres in Melrose, FL where she could make her dreams come true. Jane was involved with the Cat Fancier’s Association, Tonkinese Breed Association and TICA. Over the years, Jane would travel to Cat Shows throughout Florida and Georgia and occasionally further away; Jane’s cattery, Maytime Tonkinese produced multiple award-winning Tonks including the First Ever Tonkinese Grand of Distinction CH, GPD, RW Maytime Marietta in 2015. Additionally, during her free time, she volunteered as the Editor for “Aqua Eyes” the Tonkinese Breed Association’s Newsletter. 

A special thank you to UF Shands Hospital, Gainesville, Unit 76 ICU; they were so attentive and supportive of Jane as well as her family. 

A private service will be held later for her family. If you would like to donate in her honor, you may do so to any of the following organizations: 

Tonkinese Breed Association Rescue: 

Felicitie Bell, Treasurer 

2904 Normandy Dr.,

Ellicott City, MD 21043 

Click on the charitable contribution links below for Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Limited-Time Matching Fund | The Nature Conservancy

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