Jane Ford Campbell

Sarah Jane Ford Campbell, 89, lifelong resident of Hamilton County, died October 10, 2008. Born on March 16, 1919 in Noblesville, Jane was the oldest of three children. Her parents were Charles Ford and Margaret Perkins Ford.
Jane graduated from Noblesville High School in 1936 and attended both Central Business College and Butler University where she was active in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
On September 27, 1940 Jane married Frank Wheeler Campbell. They had four children: William Ford Campbell (Sara), Robert Frank Campbell (Judi) and twins Margaret Ann Campbell Emerson (Joe) and Mary Ellen Campbell Wright (Steve).
Jane served her beloved community in many ways. She was elected President of the local chapter of Tri Kappa in 1953 and in 1956 she started a Tri Kappa-sponsored group for junior high school girls called the Charmette Club. Years later, the idea of the Charmettes evolved into the Uptop Shop at the Noblesville Boys and Girls Club, another beneficiary of Jane's interest in the community. She was also a charter member of the Boys and Girls Club Auxiliary; a past president and a Volunteer-of-the-Year Award recipient.
Jane was a founding member of Hamilton County Theatre Guild, where she sat on the Board of Directors: and acted, directed and produced plays for over forty years. She was nominated for numerous Encore Awards and won a lifetime achievement award honoring those having made significant contributions to community theatre. In her later years, she inspired a new generation of actors and directors by working behind the scenes as a gifted mentor and coach at the Belfry. Her lasagna dinners for cast and crew became famous and much anticipated.
In 1992, Jane was named, by the Mayor, as Noblesville's First Minister of Culture. Her assignment was to promote cultural activities in the life of the community. Jane changed the title and served as the Cultural Arts Commission's first president. Accomplishments included "Shakespeare in the Park", Law Day, poetry reading, art exhibits, a senior citizens picnic, band concerts, and symphony orchestra performances. Her efforts to introduce Law Day brought her a Liberty Bell Award from the Indiana State Bar Association, in recognition of her contributions to the welfare of the citizens of Indiana. The Cultural Arts Commission has also honored Jane for her tireless work on behalf of others.
To Jane, cooking was an art and a means of expressing love. As an accomplished cook and avid collector of unusual cookbooks, Jane treated countless friends and family to many famous meals and dinner parties. Memories of her specialties are cherished by all who gathered around her table to celebrate friendship and great food. The widely acclaimed tradition of her "Indiana Succotash" dinners received accolades from the Indianapolis Star. Other specialties included Christmas cookies, train cakes for her grandchildren, checkerboard cake for the Indy 500 and Buster Bar Torte.
As an avid IU fan, Jane is remembered for her fabulous tailgate parties at Morgan Monroe State Park. One of the favorite traditions was IU red eggs (hard-boiled and dyed with beet juice).
Jane's civic leadership and community involvement enriched many lives. She held membership in the Noblesville Christian Church, and was a charter member of an ecumenical Bible study group. Jane supported civic organizations and worthy causes such as the Courthouse Rededication, Riverview Hospital Auxiliary and projects for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. Over the years, she received recognition from the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Turtle Creek Convalescent Center and numerous other organizations.
Preceding Jane in death are her parents; brother and sister; husband Frank; son Bob;and son-in-law Joe.
She is survived by three children; nine grandchildren: Christiaan Robert Campbell (Jennifer), Brian Christopher Campbell, Kevin Lowe Campbell, Geoffrey Ford Campbell (Kathryn), John Jesse Emerson, Frances Kate Wright Dore' (Luke), Kristin Ann Emerson, Nicholas Leon Wright, James Alex Emerson; and eight great-grandchildren: Ashley and Holyn Campbell, Jack Campbell, twins Vaughan and Maccailein Campbell, Ella Jane Campbell, Eva Campbell and Harley Jane Dore'.
Calling will be at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary (12010 Allisonville Rd, Fishers) from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, October 12, 2008. A brief calling will be held at the funeral home from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Monday, October 13, 2008, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hamilton County Theatre Guild; or to the Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission.