Jane Price (née Paley) 76, died of ovarian cancer on November 12th, 2023. Her family, husband Laurence, son Brian, daughter-in-law Katie and two grandchildren, Ella and Teddy, survive her. She is also survived by Valerie Pierre, the family house keeper of 35 years. She is predeceased by her parents, Dr. David Paley and Charlotte Beilin Paley and brother, Anthony Paley.
A graduate of the Dwight School for Girls in Englewood, New Jersey, she received her BA from Brandeis University in 1969 and MA from New York University in Drama in 1972.
Professionally known as Jane Paley, she enjoyed a varied career as an educator, writer and television producer. Her early jobs in public relations led her to an 11-year career at the ABC Television Network, where she created a series of documentaries for young people for which she won an Emmy Award and a National Education Award among others. Working on an educational project for the network, she interviewed filmmaker George Lucas and decided to leave ABC to join her husband’s independent production company. They created numerous projects for LucasFilm Ltd., as well as HBO, ABC, PBS, Court TV and Starz. Together the couple traveled extensively working on media assignments until they decided they needed to “have a more settled life.”
Paley joined the faculty of St. John’s University in Queens, New York as an assistant professor in the communications department. She wrote a popular children’s book, “Hooper Finds A Family,” and won several awards for her work including a Christopher Award. The book chronicles the survival of the family’s rescue dog in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Following a move to Easton, CT, Paley joined the faculty of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield as an adjunct in the School of Communication and Media Arts.
She was also a founding board member and contributor to the Easton Courier, where she garnered awards from the CT chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for her essays about Easton’s vibrant agricultural life. A long-standing Citizens for Easton (CFE) board member, stewardship of Easton’s natural resources was of primary importance to her. She also loved working on the CFE Annual Farm Tour. After a lifetime in Manhattan, she declared herself “a true Eastonite.” Her daily walks with her neighbor to visit Henry the donkey became a modest local legend.
She leaves behind her adored Knuckles, a Labrador/Basset Hound mix who continues to bring daily laughter to the family. She and Larry vacationed in Paris often. After Easton it was their “happy place.”
Contributions may be made in honor of Dr. Neal Fischbach at Bridgeport Hospital Foundation at Yale New Haven Health. Funeral arrangements have not yet been determined.
