Jane S Oriel

Jane Stevens OrielSeptember 21, 1934-October 5, 2026

Jane Stevens Oriel, age 92, lived life out loud and with a twinkle in her eye. Jane passed away peacefully with her son by her side on October 5, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Jane left home at an early age to see the world as a flight attendant. After many stops along the way, in 1980 Jane landed in Healdsburg, California, where she opened her home goods store, Friends in the Country. For more than 30 years, the shop was a fixture on the town Plaza where customers walked in as shoppers and walked out as friends, usually after a good laugh.

Jane lived in her historic home on Haydon Street in Healdsburg for over 40 years and lovingly fixed up every corner. Her garden was her pride and joy, and she tended it with the same energy she brought to everything. She was a lifelong tennis player and stayed active on the court well into her eighties.

In 2021, Jane moved to St. Louis to be close to her son’s family, who are thankful to have had her nearby for her final years. The family is deeply grateful to the team at Dolan Memory Care Homes, whose kindness, patience, and compassion surrounded Jane with love, comfort and dignity.Jane will be remembered for her generous heart, her sharp wit and her gift for making any room more fun.

She is survived by her son Robert B. Smith III (Ginger) and her daughter Molly Wilson; her five grandchildren R.B., Alex, James, Katherine and David; three great grandchildren; and her beloved niece Tracy Keleher (Rick) of Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada. She was preceded in death by her parents Catherine and Henry Stevens, sister Barbara Klassen (Bob) and brother Robert Stevens (Ilsa).

A celebration of Jane’s life will be held in the spring at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in Healdsburg, California. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), or simply that you raise a glass or plant something in Jane’s honor.