Jane Cameron Lare, 76, died unexpectedly at her River Forest home on July 7, 2012. Born on May 20, 1936 in Chicago Heights, she attended local schools until moving with her family to California in 1949. She received her B.A. in psychology from Occidental College in Los Angeles in l957, then returned to her family roots in Illinois and completed a master’s degree in counseling at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
She moved to Oak Park to begin a career with District 97 in September, 1958 and ended it with her retirement in 2006, at which point she was the longest-standing teacher in D97, a career spanning 48 years. She started as a first- and second-grade teacher at Beye Elementary School. In 1984, she earned a master’s degree in psychology from Loyola University and received her credentials as a school psychologist in 1986. From then on, she worked as a school psychologist in D97 elementary schools, mostly at Lincoln and Longfellow. She also worked part-time for the Oak Park Public Library as a library assistant in Information Services from 1988 to 2006.
Ms. Lare had a deep commitment to children, especially those experiencing challenges in elementary school. Colleagues in special education were impressed with her skill in preparing psychological reports on the pupils she tested and how she provided sensitive guidance for teachers and counselors seeking to help pupils and their parents. She was active in local and international professional organizations serving school psychologists.
She also enjoyed gardening, regular visits to the arboretum, activities sponsored by her church, First United Church of Oak Park, and volunteering for Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly. She was a supporter of the Oak Park Conservatory and enjoyed performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. An avid international traveler, she spoke German and French fluently. She had planned trips to Canada, Germany, Paris and the Cotswolds this summer and next fall with a two-month break in between to tend a new shade garden she had planted in her yard. She also had a longtime love affair with Door County, Wis., where she enjoyed frequent visits to her condo at Egg Harbor.
Jane Cameron Lare is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jim Lare and Jacquelyn McCoy; her nephew, John Cameron Lare; her niece, Jennifer Carolyn Lare; and several first cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daisy Cameron Lare and Howard Clayton Lare. She was buried at Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Elmhurst.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, followed by a reception for all who knew her and are saddened by her untimely passing, at First United Church, 848 Lake St. in Oak Park. Memorial donations to First United Church are appreciated.