Jane Patricia (Gray) McColgan

Jane Patricia Gray McColgan was born July 20, 1924, in Berkeley, CA.  The eldest daughter of Francis and Lydia Gray she was raised in San Francisco along with her sisters Lydia and Eleanor.  She graduated from Saint Rose and attended the University of California at Berkeley where she liked to mention tuition cost $27 when she attended in the early 40s. Upon graduation from Cal, she worked as a history teacher for the San Francisco Unified School District for 20 years where she met her future husband John McColgan.  After dating off and on over 13 years Jane and John married in 1965.  Two years later they welcomed a daughter, Ann.  After the birth of their daughter, they moved to Mill Valley in 1968 and in 1969, welcomed their second child, Charles who they made sure was also born in San Francisco. Jane and John were married until his passing in 1989. Jane lived in Mill Valley until 2004 when she moved to The Tamalpais.  She often remarked to all who would listen, that the community was a great one and all should consider living in such a community in their later years.  Jane was happy to find fellow Cal graduates at the Tam though none compared to her group of “Merry Girls” whom she knew over 70 years and outlived them all.  While the pandemic significantly slowed down her bridge game it did not affect her ability to get her hair done.  It was only in the last two years that her children realized how much she cherished the great abilities of her 50-year friendship with Jan who she would say “could back-comb like no other” and in doing so, kept some normalcy in her life in a challenging time.

Jane will be greatly missed by her two “kid” sisters Lydia Haley and Eleanor Gann, her daughter Ann Tomaselli (Steven) and son Charles (Tami).  Her nephews and nieces who to this day are traumatized by the day hikes with their aunt but will look back fondly despite the experience.  And while she was older than most grandmothers these days, she will not be forgotten by her grandchildren Jack, Grace and Viola.

A viewing will be held at Monte’s Chapel of the Hills at 330 Red Hill Ave., San Anselmo on Monday April 18th at 10:00 AM followed by a rosary at 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.  A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday April 18th, 1:00 PM at Saint Hilary’s Church 765 Hilary Drive in Tiburon, CA where Jane was a long time and active parishioner.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA.

In lieu of flowers her children ask that you donate in Mom’s memory to either a favorite charity who helps the poor directly or a favorite school of higher education, as Jane lived her life remembering those less fortunate than her as well as teaching all who crossed her path.

Assisted by Monte’s Chapel of the Hills, San Anselmo, CA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jane Patricia (Gray) McColgan, please visit our floral store.