Frances Jane Dukovic (nee Owen), age 95, wife of James G. Dukovic, of Kimberton, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at Spring Mill Senior Living in Phoenixville. Jane was born to Nettie (Gibson) and Arthur Owen on June 14, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Jane graduated from Western High School in Baltimore and attended Goucher College on full scholarship, a math major and chemistry minor, earning a BA in 1947. Offered a job on the first computer, ENIAC, at the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground, but unable to afford an apartment, she took a job with a Baltimore department store, continuing to live with her parents. An opportunity in the emerging field of computers came again, though, and she joined the first generation of computer programmers in the Burroughs Corporation, at one point writing a manual called “You Can Program the B101.”
When Jane married Jim Dukovic in 1954 and started a family, she set career aside to raise their four children, devoting herself to their needs, educations and extracurriculars including scouting, swim team, science fairs, and family camping vacations to nearly every U.S. state and national park. She lovingly chronicled those years in the family scrap books. By 1970 Jane was working full time again, teaching math and science at Phoenixville Junior High, guiding a generation of youth through the perilous passages of algebra. She devised ways to make math more approachable and compiled them in a book, “200 Games to Make Basic Skills Fun.” Retiring in 1990, Jane kept right on teaching math, as a volunteer, at St. Basil’s School for another 22 years till the ripe age of 87.
Jane was a lifetime volunteer and leader: high school student council chairperson, Girl Scout troop leader, Phoenixville Junior Women’s Club president, Boy Scout troop committee chairperson, literacy volunteer for US immigrants, Pilot Club of Valley Forge president, participant in St. Basil’s Women’s Fellowship, AARP tax preparer at the Phoenixville Senior Center, and those long years teaching math pro bono at St. Basil’s.
Family was always the center of Jane’s life. She was a loving caregiver to her aging mother, a beloved aunt, and an awesome “activities director” to her growing grandchildren, celebrating each birthday and making Christmas special every year. In their golden years, Jane surpassed those family driving vacations, planning unforgettable trips with Jim to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, China, the Trans-Siberian railroad, riding camels in India, all the provinces of Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Jane was a lifelong Catholic parishioner & volunteer. She lived out her values, which included love, family, service, equality, science, education, and helping others develop their full potential. Those values live on in her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her loving husband of 66 years, Jane is survived by her children: Jan Turner, wife of Russell Turner, in Glenmoore, PA; Joan Dukovic in West Chester, PA; John Dukovic, husband of Linda Frommer, in Palo Alto, CA; Jim Dukovic, husband of Deborah Dukovic, of Chester Springs, PA; and grandchildren: Alex Turner, Bradley Turner, Eric Turner, Christopher White, Brandon Dukovic, Kevin Dukovic, Anna Dukovic, Ethan Dukovic, Rachel Dukovic, Kelsey Dukovic. Jane is also survived by her brother, Thomas Owen, and was preceded in death by her parents and by her sisters, Mary Breiner and Doris Jentilet.
A funeral service will be held with immediate family (in view of health advisories) on October 13th at St. Basil’s Church in Kimberton; it will be available for live viewing at 10:30 AM EDT and afterward at www.facebook.com/StBasilthegreat/. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jane's name to the Saint Basil’s Prayer Garden / Flowers and Grounds Fund. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com or at https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/JaneDukovic/.