Jane Burtis Smith was born on March 19, 1932, to Buff and Reba Burtis in Clinton, Oklahoma. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and received her B.S. degree from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, with a major in English and speech, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. As a college senior, Jane was initiated in her mother’s chapter, BR, Clinton, Oklahoma. IN | memoriam MARCH 19, 1932 – NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • PAST PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER, 1999-2001 Jane Burtis Smith
Upon graduating from the university, Jane married her high- school sweetheart, Don, who was a pilot in the U.S. Navy. He later began his career with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Corporation, a division of United Technologies Corporation, where he retired as a senior project manager. Following a move to Florida, Jane transferred her membership to Chapter AZ, West Palm Beach, Florida, and in 1965 became a charter member of Chapter CW, North Palm Beach. She and Don lived in Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Lake Park and North Palm Beach, Florida. She taught high school English until their children were born. Jane’s involvement in the community included the United Way, PTA, Brownie Scout leader, president of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and board member of the YWCA, Science Museum, Volunteer Center and president of the Pi Beta Phi alumnae club. Jane taught classes at Goodwill Industries as well as adult education classes. She and Don, members of North Palm Beach First Presbyterian Church, sang for many years in the church choir and served as Deacons and Elders. Jane enjoyed the beach, gardening, bridge, tennis and collecting cookbooks. Jane served Florida State Chapter as president in 1981- 1982. While on the board of Florida State Chapter, she was appointed to the executive planning committee for the Convention of International Chapter in Orlando. She was committee secretary from 1979 until the conclusion of Convention. Jane was appointed to the Nominating Committee for International Chapter in 1983 and served as chair during the 1985-1987 biennium. She was a member of the Study and Research Committee from 1987 to 1991, serving as vice chair during the last two years. She was elected recording secretary to the International Executive Board at Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1991. During her term on the Executive Board of International Chapter, she was appointed chair of the Special Committee on Electronic Communication for the P.E.O. Sisterhood. The P.E.O. Sisterhood website was launched on August 1, 1998.
Jane served as President of International Chapter from 1999-2001 and presided at Convention of International Chapter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Convention opened on September 20, 2001, just days after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Delegations from every state, provincial, district chapter and chapters in subordinate territory were present with 1,375 members of Convention attending. Jane will be remembered for many qualities; among them as a fair and compassionate leader, for her strength of character and ready smile. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and P.E.O. sister. She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed. Jane is survived by her husband of 67 years,
Don, their daughter, Stephanie Nelson, FC, Tampa, Florida, and husband Scott; son, Brian Smith, and wife Lisa, six grandsons: Ryan Nelson (Ashleigh), Grant Nelson (Desire), Bradley Nelson (Kelsey), Chase Nelson (Erika), Travis Smith, Nathan Smith and one great granddaughter, Magnolia. She is also survived by her brother, Buff Burtis, M.D. (Jeannie).
We can best maintain the vitality of our Sisterhood by drawing upon the resources of our rich heritage,
becoming more involved with our projects, which reach out to others, and responding to
the challenges of the times in which we live.
J A N E B U R T I S S M I T H
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March–April 2022 | THE P.E.O. RECORD
WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG
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