Jane Marie Wherritt

Jane Marie (Brooks) Wherritt

March 7, 1928 – September 18, 2024

Christmas Themed Celebration of Life (Jane’s favorite holiday.)

Springville Sports Barn, 2811 Plover Springs Dr., Plover WI.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

2:00 pm Service – Buffet to follow

A thank you letter from Jane Marie Wherritt’s four living children, Pam Rucinski (Chet), Rick Wherritt (Debbie), Kathy Purzycki (Dan), and Scott Wherritt. 

On September 18, lying under the soft rays of an early morning sunrise, our 96-year-old mom, Jane Marie (Brooks) Wherritt (AKA Dolly World) took her final breath and entered Heaven. She opened her eyes to husband, George Wherritt Jr., who she missed for 25 years, and son Mark, taken by a tragic fire when he was just 24 years old. 

Dad affectionately called his dark-haired beauty, “Janie” and we laughed when he called Mom his ‘tomato’. Our parents knew each other as kids and started dating when Dad came back from war duties in the Navy. Mom didn’t wait for him to propose. One night, sitting in the car at the Moore Barn in Plover, she said, “George, I think we should get married.” Dad gave an enthusiastic, “yes” and months later, they snuggled into a tiny mobile home that Mom said was just like a doll house.

After the birth of two kids, Dad remodeled a weathered farmhouse on a wooded country road, aptly called Pleasant Drive. There, another boy and girl joined the family. If there’s one thing you should know about mom, mothering was her life passion. Most of her greatest lessons were in the doing, not the talking. We could always count on plenty of kisses, hugs and a listening ear. Trying to hide a bad day from her was impossible. She’d take one look and say, “Are you okay?” Even dementia later in life could not suppress her uncanny intuitive ability to read our faces. Growing up, Mom never admitted doing anything that would corrupt us. For a lifetime she insisted that beer or cigarettes never touched her lips, and we were strongly encouraged to do the same. 

About 1960, Dad built Jane’s forever home on Washington Street in Plover and another child entered the family. Time passed quickly and one-by-one fourteen grandchildren entered their lives. Now retired, Dad yearned for warm winters, but he knew it would take something beyond ‘special’ to persuade her to leave home for three months. In a brilliant move, Dad bought her a deluxe RV ‘doll house’ on wheels complete with a miniature kitchen, curtained windows and adorable, inviting décor. Mom was so delighted, charmed and thrilled by Dad’s gift she said, “I’ll follow you anywhere!” Dad won over his bride and their winter retirement years were glorious adventures in warm places. But, as spring approached, his ‘tomato’ would say, “George, let’s go home. I want to see my kids.” 

Sadly, Dad passed in 1999 when Mom was only seventy. For a decade of summers, we kept Mom camping in her RV ‘doll house’ with her Drifters camping group. Around crackling campfires, we heard many heartwarming and humorous stories about Dad. The Drifters were a great comfort to our family. 

In her late seventies, Mom developed dementia. As it progressed, her nurturing heart was lonely—especially after the death of her beloved dog. No longer able to care for a living creature, we were surprised to find a three-foot animated Santa ‘sleeping’ on her couch—swaddled in a blanket and his bright bearded head on a pillow. 

No amount of telling her, “The Santa isn’t real,” worked. Giving up, we accepted her version of reality, and that Christmas we gifted her with a lifelike powder scented, blond blue-eyed doll about the weight of a 3-month-old baby. Did she think we were crazy? To our amazement, she was thrilled, and the story of the magical world of ‘Dolly World’ began. 

The next Christmas Mom wanted a twin just like the first doll. The next year a triplet. Twin boys were next. Nine years later Dolly World was alive with five baby swings, nine more baby powder scented dolls, and an assortment of other dolls and critters rescued from resale stores. Dolly World’s capacity to love seemed endless. 

Sharing Mom’s unintended humor, wisdom and affection on Facebook caught the attention of hundreds of friends across the country. Many sent her gifts and cards and expressed joy to see her playful, happy days with her dolls. They also appreciated Mom’s unintended humor and wisdom. Here’s an example of the kinds of conversations we shared on Facebook. 

Me: Mom, you need to get dressed for your doctor’s appointment.

Mom: Not going. 

Me: The dolls say they want you to go. 

Mom: No, they didn’t. 

Me: How do you know? 

Mom: ‘Cause they don’t talk to you. 

Dolly World was Mom’s happy place, and we cared for her at home for almost fifteen years before placing her in memory care for seven months. (It wasn’t easy handing her over to others for care.) Visiting her was a daily thing and we kept her stimulated with conversation, singing, animated toys and exercise. 

It was a blessing that Mom no longer remembered her home or dolls, except the one she called Willow. Mom’s caretakers called her ‘Miss Jane’ and shared how much they would miss her kisses and hugs. Jane Marie Wherritt often said, “I always wanted to be a mom.” She lived her calling, and she was the best mom! Her fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grands were her greatest treasures and she always welcomed them with her own special brand of Gramma Janie Joy.

Thank you, to our precious mom for giving us unconditional love. Your giving spirit weaved a tightly woven tapestry filled with memories that we’ll all cherish for a lifetime. Until we see you again …

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Weston, is assisting Jane’s family. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.