Jane Ellen Gleason

On April 6, 2023 Dr. Jane Ellen Gleason, Ph.D passed away in her home in Rockville, Maryland.  Jane was 67 years old.

Jane was born in Libertyville and raised in Grayslake, Illinois.  Her life was full of adventure and marked by many accomplishments in academia and her career.  She studied Agricultural Economics and Asian Studies at the University of Illinois, receiving her Ph.D in 1986.  She was fluent in Mandarin, and Arabic.  Most of her career, over 30 years, was spent working for DAI around the world as a Resource Economist/ Agriculture Policy Analyst.  She lived all around the world – Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon, making great friends along the way.  Through all of her success her family kept her humble with many heated Parcheesi, Monopoly and Scrabble battles. (BRUIN is a word!)  Jane had a competitive spirit and loved sports, especially the Chicago Cubs.  In addition to being a sports fan she was her family’s biggest cheerleader.  She found joy in family and sharing her experiences and love of travel and culture. 

She leaves behind a legacy of generosity, friendship, humor, and love.  A natural leader in all aspects of life and especially in the family.  The wise matriarch, a mother without children – she is survived by her father Edward Gleason, sisters Carol Gleason and Sally Wesolowski, Niece Lydia Wesolowski and her two boys Jack and Casey Ellenwood, nephews Mark Green and Andy Wesolowski, her sister by choice Dr. Sawsan Alshirifi, her God daughter Basma Yassin, and great God son Adam Yassin.  We will miss her conversation, advice, jokes, visits and everything in between.

Friends and family will be celebrating her life in North Bethesda on May 7, 2023.   

Another celebration in Illinois will be announced at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Cancer Society or Songea's Kids in her honor (details below).

Please leave comments and stories here for the family to enjoy and reminisce.