Jane Elizabeth Thompson, 99, of Port Monmouth, peacefully passed away Aug. 5, 2021, at her home just days shy of her 100th birthday. Jane was born Aug. 20, 1921, in Irvington, a daughter of the late Anna and Matthew Cumiskey. Jane met and married the love of her life, Kenneth Thompson, and they settled in Port Monmouth in 1950 to raise their family.
They became very involved in their community. They were members of the Belford United Methodist Church. Jane belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Middletown Elks, the Port Monmouth Fire Company and the Port Monmouth First Aid, where she was a founding member. Jane was a past president of each of those organizations and the Middletown Elks Woman of the Year in 1989. She also belonged to the NJ State Ladies Fire Auxiliary.
Jane enjoyed bus trips to Atlantic City with the Atlantic Highlands Senior Citizens group and could often be found at the Middletown Elks with her Dewar’s and water, playing bingo at the VFW or even at Wilson Ave. Deli buying scratch off tickets.
Jane worked as a waitress until the age of 88. You could have seen her smiling face at several local restaurants, including Martinis Diner, Cobblestones, Middletown Diner, Idle Hour, Betty’s Place, Keegan’s Deli, the VFW 4303 and many more. Most people around town knew and loved Jane and many called her “Aunt Jane.” She will always be remembered as a kind and loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who were lucky enough to know her.
Jane was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Kenneth Thompson, in 2007 and their daughter, Elizabeth Thompson, in 2019; her siblings, Josephine Prewett, Matthew A. Cumiskey and Thomas Cumiskey; her granddaughter, Toni Andrews; and son-in-law John Arcara.
She is survived by four daughters and their husbands: Carol and Robert Luft in Texas, Arliene and Gene Zaborney in Port Monmouth, Barbara Thompson in New Mexico and Denise Arcara of Middletown. She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives paid their respects Aug. 9 and 10 at Scott & Kedz Home for Funerals, Belford. A funeral service took place Aug. 10 at the funeral home. Commital followed at Fairview Cemetery, Middletown.
A celebration of life (and Jane’s birthday celebration) will still be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Middletown Elks.
The article originally appeared in the August 12 – 18, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
