Jane VandenBelt Somers

Jane (Vanden Belt) Somers, age 81 of Fenton, formerly of Flint, MI passed away peacefully October 4, 2023 at her home with family near her side.  Funeral services will be held at 1 pm Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Home, 100 W Silver Lake Rd, Fenton.  The family will greet friends starting 12 noon preceding the service.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation.

Jane was born to Elwin and Beryl (Bradshaw) Vanden Belt on March 17, 1942 in Flint, MI.  She graduated from Flint Northern HS, and it was at Forest Park Ice Rink where Jane met the love of her life, Gary Gordon Somers.  They married on December 28, 1963 and spent 60 short years together as soulmates and companions until Jane’s passing.  They were blessed with two children, Jennifer Lynn and Steven Scott, and Jane took a hiatus from teaching to raise and nurture her young family.  She and Gary made more lifelong friends during these times, all of whom they leaned on as they dealt with the tragedy of Steven’s untimely death in 1985, and with whom they celebrated Jennifer’s marriage to Richard Pool in 1987.

Jane graduated from Michigan State University and received an advanced degree from Eastern Michigan University to fulfill her calling as a special education teacher.  She began her teaching career at Durant-Turri-Mott Elementary School, where over the course of 40-years, she profoundly impacted the lives of countless students while making many deep, lifelong friends among her fellow staff. 

Jane and Gary built their dream home and moved onto Silver Lake in Fenton in 1986.  It was here Jane became significantly involved in numerous clubs, associations and charities including the Fenton Open Gate Garden Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Bay View Club, and her much loved book club.  She continued to make many great, lasting friendships as she generously volunteered her time and talents on programs and in leadership posts in these organizations.

Jane became a grandmother in 1993 and was deeply involved helping to raise, nurture and spoil her three grandchildren, Nathaniel, Matthew, and Gregory.  Together Jane and Gary instilled wonderful lifelong memories in their grandchildren, both at home and abroad.  Jane was deeply and sincerely interested in her grandchildren’s lives, listening to and supporting each as they navigated school, sports, and social tumults.  A highly talented baker, Jane made her grandsons creative birthday cakes every year, each looking as amazing as they tasted!  Many more memories were made on Christmas mornings, during summers at the cottage and at Camp Michigania, on a weeklong trip to the Grand Canyon, and being a joyful part of many inter-family vacations.  Not leaving anything to chance, these memories were painstakingly recorded in pictures and prose in the many scrapbooks Jane made and gifted each of her grandchildren. 

Jane and Gary also enjoyed exploring the greater world together with friends, with family and as a couple.  These included a most memorable African Safari, tours of Europe, an Alaskan Cruise, trips to National Parks, and family vacations to Hawaii, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean.  At home Jane enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her son Steven, her brother Ron Vanden Belt, and her brother-in-law Jack Somers.  She is survived by Gary, Jennifer (Richard) Pool and her family, Ron’s wife Mary and their children, Anne, Benjamin and Nicholas, Jack’s wife Connie and their children, Todd and Corey, and many nieces and nephews.

“Caring”, “Loving”, “Intelligent”, “Involved”, and “Genteel” are common words her family and great many friends shared as they reflected on how their lives were touched throughout Jane’s lifetime, and it is through these that Jane will be remembered. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com