Jane Pesci-Townsend, who has touched the lives of so many students, performers, and audiences in our area, is in her final struggle with cancer. She was released from NIH yesterday and sent to her home in Wheaton, MD where she is surrounded by friends and family who are with her around the clock. She may have one or possibly two days remaining of what has been a remarkable life.
Tom Pederson, who co-chairs the Musical Theatre Department with Jane at Catholic University, called us. Jane has been working with Theatre Lab on their production of Rent, and was teaching there last week. Thinking she would have another 3 to 6 months to live, she had planned to spend it directing Nine, Catholic’s upcoming musical.
A Facebook page has been started for everyone wishing to pass on a final message to her. The computer is in her room, and the messages are being read by everyone there and, when Jane wakes, are passed on to her. Here is the link to the Facebook page.
The message that this warrior, the woman who has survived a type of cancer longer than anyone thought possible, leaves is in the hearts of everyone who has had the fortune to know her and can be seen and felt in this photo.
There will be time to talk about tributes to Jane Pesci-Townsend. But an opportunity exists tonight, and possibly tomorrow for those who have a last message for her, to send it to her and to gain comfort from the community that is forming on Facebook. That link, again, is here.
You were tops with the Gilbert and Sullivan…may you collaborate with them in the beyond.
Bob Anthony