Jane Elizabeth O'Hearn

Jane Elizabeth O'Hearn of Naples, Florida and Sunapee, New Hampshire passed away peacefully on January 6, at Avow Hospice, surrounded by her family, husband, Robert, children Megan and her husband Michael Konkus, their children, Owen and Myles, her son, Matthew O'Hearn and his wife Renee and their children, John, Oliver, and Celia Jane was born February 20, 1949, in Gardner, Massachusetts, third child of James and Barbara Eacmen. Jane was educated in Gardner. She went to Anna Maria College in Paxton, Ma. graduating with a degree in math education. Following college, Jane was a teacher in Lunenberg, Mass for several years. Jane moved, with her husband, Bob, to Nashua NH where they raised 2 children. Family was the most important part of Jane's life. As children grew up and went on to college, Jane became interested in state politics, ran for a seat in the NH House of Representatives, and won. She served from 1994-2000. In those years she attained the position as Chair of the House Education Committee. Her commitment to education was both finding funding methods and maintaining education accountability. In 2000, Jane ran and was elected to the NH State Senate, again chairing education, also serving on Internal Affairs and Institutions, as well as the Health and Human Services committees. Her priorities were always finding ways to better the education for children within the state, and managing accountability for the professional educators in those classrooms. In 2005, having left state government, Jane was appointed to the U S Department of Education by President George Bush as Special Assistant in the Boston office, responsible for 6 New England States, on issues of accountability. This was within the timeline of the Federal Program "No Child Left Behind" nonpartisan federal legislation to improve school standards. Jane left government in 2009 as she and her husband moved to Naples Florida. Jane accomplished so much in life while maintaining poise and grace. She loved her family, enjoying the beach and sports as a member of Imperial Golf Club, in Naples. Also, Jane loved the mountains of NH, in Sunapee, where the family skied, played golf, tennis and enjoyed boating. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial service will be held in the spring at St. John Cemetery, in Gardner, Massachusetts where it all began. To Sign her guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Jane Elizabeth O'Hearn

February 20, 1949 - January 6, 2025