Betty “Jane” Curran, of Quincy, Illinois, who led an incredibly intentional life, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2020, with her family by her side. She was 81.

Known by many as “Nanny Jane,” Nanny was born October 30, 1938, in Jackson, Tennessee. She was the only daughter of Parnell and Velma “Nanny” Gardner. Jane graduated from Quincy High School with the class of 1957. After graduating, she attended Gem City Business College and took additional courses at Quincy College. Jane was a professional photographer at Lyle Ramsey studio and traveled throughout the Midwest.

Jane worked as a counselor at the Adams County Youth Home and Transitions for seventeen years. On the weekends, she worked the Transitions weekend suicide prevention call line until the late 90s. For the following fifteen years, she worked twelve hours a day at the Quincy Housing Authority as an Occupancy Specialist, as well as Gem City Accounting as a Collections Agent. She retired in 2005.

Jane married the love of her life, Duke Curran, on January 26, 2002. After meeting Duke, Jane returned to St. Peter’s Church and found new meaning in her Catholic faith. Jane and Duke spent three wonderful years traveling the U.S., until Duke’s passing in 2005.

“Nanny” Jane loved hearing her son Kevin play the drums; her best friend Pat; bridge group (and won often!); having her hair and nails manicured; flowers; music (Barbra Streisand!), professional tennis; football; fuzzy navels; and, above all else, Days Of Our Lives. Each and every day she told her family she loved them “oodles and gobs.”

And she really meant it.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband Duke Curran, her mother Velma Gardner, a son, Gregory Tanner, and her daughter, Melissa Jane Tanner.

Left to cherish Jane’s memory are her son, Kevin (Janet) Tanner of Quincy; four grandchildren: Ryan (Jay) Tanner of Quincy, Bryson Tanner of Quincy, Tylen Tanner of Quincy, and Tevin Tanner of Quincy; seven great-grandchildren; and twelve step-children.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Church of St. Peter. There will be plenty of room for social distancing at the mass, but masks are required. Please wear your mask or one will be provided for you. Interment will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Quincy High School Music Department.