Jane Reese-Coulbourne, trailblazing woman
Jane Reese-Coulbourne, 63, of Annapolis, Md., and Rehoboth Beach, passed away Monday, April 23, 2018, in Baltimore. Jane approached every day with love, strength, curiosity and humor, and her final days at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center were no different. She was surrounded by the family and dear friends who meant so much to her, and supported by a dedicated team of researchers and caretakers who were inspired by her.
Born Jane Reese in Trenton, N.J., July 22, 1954, she is survived by her husband of 36 years, Bill (William) Coulbourne, her stepdaughter Kelly, stepson Mark, daughter-in-law Jennifer Fitzgerald, and step-granddaughter Ashley. She is also survived by her brothers, Jim and sister-in-law Jan Reese of Pennington, N.J., and John and sister-in-law Arlene Reese of Huntersville, N.C.; and nieces Jenny and husband David, and Tara; and nephews Brett, John Reese Jr., and Danny; and five grand-nieces and -nephews Michaela, Reese, Olivia, Charlotte and Ben.
Jane’s trailblazing professional life began when she became one of the first women to earn a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia, in 1977. She also graduated from Mary Washington College with a bachelor of science degree in Chemistry in 1976. Hired by Procter & Gamble in Baltimore as one of the first woman managers, her intelligence, wit and practical approach to solving problems fueled her ability to overcome fierce workplace opposition to having female managers. But she did overcome that opposition and sowed respect among her employees, male and female. In one of her earliest P&G positions, she realized a portion of her employees were functionally illiterate and subsequently rolled out a literacy program that enabled years of employee struggle to be turned into improved self-esteem. After over 10 years at P&G, she used her finely honed management skills as a consultant to help other manufacturing organizations improve their operations and their profitability.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s, she helped build one of the first patient advocacy organizations, spearheading a campaign that resulted in unprecedented government funding for breast cancer research after delivering more than 2.5 million signatures to the Clinton White House demanding such funding increases. She went on to devote decades advocating for improved healthcare policy, more clinical research and patient access to effective therapies. One colleague of that time described Jane as "one of the fiercest and most prolific breast cancer and health advocates we've ever known…She was a warrior - doggedly determined and strategic…She saved countless lives.” She talked to thousands of women about her cancer story, encouraging them to not give up hope in the face of this ugly disease. She served on many boards and advisory panels dealing with health and advocacy issues, and as the executive director of the Lung Cancer Alliance, the founding executive director of the Reagan-Udall Foundation, and the executive director of the Hearing Industries Association at the time of her death.
Jane’s family invites friends to all of the following services: Visitation 2 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 29, at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, Md.; and Mass 10 a.m., Monday, April 30, at St. John Neumann Church, 620 Bestgate Drive, Annapolis. Interment will be at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE, Washington, D.C.
A rapid autopsy was performed on Jane in order to have her disease studied and be able to help others. She would encourage us all to contribute to the fight against cancer in this way. So, in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in honor of Jane Reese-Coulbourne to: Rapid Autopsy Program Fund - Dr. Jody Hooper, c/o Robert Kahl, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Carnegie 424, Baltimore, MD 21287-6417, or pathology.jhu.edu/RapidAutopsy/donate.cfm.
A public memorial service to celebrate Jane’s life and accomplishments is being planned for a later date in the Washington, D.C. area. An online guest book is available at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com.
