Jane R. Hornsby – Obituary – Longmont

June 17, 1927 – April 30, 2024

Jane Ritter Hornsby, 96, of Loveland, CO passed away on April 30, 2024. She was born on June 17, 1927 to John C. and Helen Jessup Ritter in New Castle, Colorado and was part of the Ritter Legacy of that region. Jane’s idyllic upbringing included helping her grandfather and father run the Ritter General Store, and camping and playing along Elk Creek and the White River. Jane loved the outdoors and many tomboy activities. She even got her pilot’s license at the age of 19.

After graduating from high school at Stephens College, Jane completed her undergraduate degree at Colorado A&M University (now Colorado State University). While there, she was active in campus life, president of the Beta Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, officer of the second class, and elected to the Homecoming Court. Immediately after graduation, Jane left for a teaching position in Great Falls, Montana,

While teaching she met Jim Hornsby; and they married in 1950, beginning a 67-year adventure with many homes and six children!

Jim’s career took the couple around the map; Spending years in New Orleans and Houston, then moving to the mountains of Colorado for retirement. The couple spent ten happy years in Redstone before settling in Loveland.

Jane will be remembered for her zest for life, her love of social gatherings, stories of the Western Slope and her constant desire for one more fun adventure. She is preceded in death by her husband Jim, her sister Mary Ellen and her brother Clay. Jane is survived by son Jimmy (Adele); daughter Gail Wolf; son David (Heather); daughter Liz Galligan (Brian); daughter Amy Smith (Guy); and son Chris (Jen); 17 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, at All Saints Episcopal Church, Loveland, CO. An internment will follow in her hometown of New Castle.