Jane Gregg Schowalter died in Princeton, N.J., on May 14 from complications associated with dementia. She was 91.

Jane was born April 6, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Scranton and Violet (Durand) Gregg.

She graduated from Whitefish Bay High School near Milwaukee, and received a BS degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she met her future husband, William Schowalter. They were married in 1953.

In 1957 the couple moved to Princeton, N.J., where they lived for nearly 50 years, with a 15-year interval in Champaign, Ill.., between 1989 and 2003.

Jane was an active volunteer for most of her life. She served on the Auxiliary of the Medical Center at Princeton, becoming involved in their annual fundraiser (the Princeton Hospital Fête), and ultimately serving as co-chair in 1976. She further contributed to Princeton healthcare with her conception and realization of a Patient Support Program, along with her membership on the Princeton Medical Center Board of Trustees. She served as vice president of the University League and as a member of the Auxiliary to the Isabella McCosh Infirmary of Princeton University.

Her deep involvement in the Princeton community was recognized in 1986 when she was chosen to receive the Gerard B. Lambert Award, a recognition presented annually by the United Way for community service.

She moved to Champaign, Ill, in 1989 when her husband accepted a position at the University of Illinois. Soon after their arrival she was hired as a teaching associate in the University’s Department of Community Health. This led to Jane taking students on hospital visits to learn what it is like to be a patient in a hospital.

In 1992 she and her husband purchased a home in Hidden Cove on Martha’s Vineyard, one of her favorite places. Summers were filled with the presence of their children and young grandchildren. She and her husband savored their Vineyard time and particularly enjoyed the off-season. She especially loved going to her favorite restaurants where she knew the management and waitstaff. Her warmth and conversation with all made for wonderful lasting Vineyard friendships.

An avid jogger, she started well before it became popular. After orthopedic limitations prevented further running, she took up bicycling. She biked all over the Island, on her own and with her husband. They enjoyed frequent rides to Menemsha, and took the bike ferry to Lobsterville and Aquinnah.

A description of Jane’s life would not be complete without mention of her warmth and natural affinity for people. Thriving on personal interactions, she was equally engaging whether hosting functions for close friends, family, Princeton or Illinois faculty members, undergraduate engineering students, or the co-founder and CEO of Sony.

In addition to her husband Jane is survived by her three children, Katherine Schowalter Lesch of Scarsdale, N.Y.; Mary Raser of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; David Schowalter of Holden, and eight grandchildren.

Donations can be made to either Friends of Sengekontacket (sengekontacket.org/donate) , or Allerton Park/University of Illinois Foundation (allerton.illinois.edu/donate-to-allerton - gifts should be specified for restoration of the room of Jane’s uncle, John Gregg Allerton).

A private interment will be held at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St., Princeton. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a future date.