Jane Adams Hosking
August 28, 1947 - September 29, 2022
Jane Adams Hosking, 75, our wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died surrounded by her family on the evening of September 29, 2022 from Covid-related pneumonia.
Jane was born August 28, 1947 in Anniston, Alabama to Jesse and Rosalyn Jane Adams and was raised on military bases throughout the South, but she considered Rome, Georgia and Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee as her hometowns. She spent a significant part of her childhood with her own grandmother “Mimi” and they were especially close. Jane later moved to Moses Lake, Washington, where she attended college and met Robert “Bob” Hosking, who would become her husband. They were married on April 14, 1968 and remained happily committed to each other for over 50 years until his death on August 7, 2018.
As a passionate advocate of young children, Jane worked as a teacher in schools and orphanages as a young woman in all the places she and Bob lived while he worked for Northwest Airlines. They also served as foster parents to children in need and were privileged to be able to add to their family through adoption. After settling in Salt Lake City in 1977, Jane was determined to carry on with her desire for high-quality early childhood education. In 1979, she opened her first pre-school in the basement of their West Valley home. Jane was a trailblazer and often recalled the story of being told to come back with her husband when she went to the city to obtain a business license. She let the clerk know exactly what she thought of that suggestion and left the building in triumph, business license in hand. From these roots grew The Learning Tree Schools, childcare facilities across the Salt Lake area that are still open and run by the Hosking family and guided by her uncompromising vision; a vision she continued to share long into retirement as a sought-after consultant, speaker, and mentor.
When she and Bob retired, they split their time between their dream home in Kapa’a, Hawaii and their home base in Salt Lake City. They spent as much time as possible with their children and grandchildren and traveled often for graduations (from kindergarten to college), performances, accolades, or random visits. It was her grandchildren that brought her the most joy, particularly in retirement.
Jane is survived by her eight children: Jon (Heather), Laura, David (Meredith Kastel), Rebekah, Joanna MacLean (Devon), Bethany, Matthew (Shantel), and Brianne; 20 grandchildren: David, Liam, Nicholas, Jessica, Sara, Abigail, Colin, Destiny, Alexis, Isaac, Lacey, Alissa, James, Michael, Grace, Roman, Max, Molly Jane, Katy, and BrynnLei, sister Marilee (David) Messner, her dear friend of over 50 years Joanne Larsen, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Bob and grandson Alexander Porter.
The family wishes to thank the medical professionals who cared for Mom during the last years of her life. We are especially grateful to her primary care provider Gwen Mitchell and the staff at House Call Doctors. Gratitude is also extended to the people who took Covid seriously and lived by the creed that caring for your community and loving thy neighbor are rooted in the tradition of all faiths. For all those who think that Covid is over, we can only say that we don’t wish this pain and heartache upon anyone.
Mom still had a few good years ahead of her, a few more performances to watch and graduations to attend, but she was robbed of that time in 12 short days.
A visitation will be on Monday October 10, 2022 from 6 to 8pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E Salt Lake City
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday October 10, 2022 at 10am, at Blessed Sacrament, 9757 S 1700 E, Sandy.
Committal will follow at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park in Bluffdale Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 10am, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Bob.
In Loving Memory
Ahhh Becky... I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you can find peace in this difficult time. ��
Julie Albiston
nan, nan
Miss Jane was like my second Mom. I started working for her at 19. She taught me so much about the kind of manager I wanted to be and made sure to keep me on track. One of my favorite stories is when we went to a conference in Chicago and she was supposed to present. Well she woke up not feeling well ( I felt like she was fine) and said I would have to do the presentation. That was crazy, I had only been in child care for about two years at that time. She helped me make the presentation "mine" and encouraged me along the way. It was rough but not terrible. I am so grateful for her and her willingness to always keep us growing and learning and striving for better. She had a way of making you feel like she was your best friend and advocate. She always had a vision of what she wanted us to be and how to run Learning Tree and it was contagious. She knew how to motivate and help us to do our best. The staff here who haven't met her still feel a sense of loss because they listen to the training tapes she recorded and have felt inspired by her knowledge and words of wisdom. I will forever be grateful I worked for Miss Jane and that I am able to continue with the vision she set forth in early childcare. She has had a profound effect on so many lives and her legacy will go on as the company she started continues to provide high quality care for children here in Utah. As her obituary says she was a trailblazer and I'm thankful to have shared the trail with her for so many years.
Amy Moyes
Murray, UT
Jane has touched so many lives and I couldn't be more grateful to know her and the amazing family she has raised. Thoughts and prayers to every one of you.
Emily Martel
Murray, UT
Miss Jane I love you and I am so grateful to have known you.. You taught me so much about what a good, quality childcare center should be.. You lived a life of legacy and love for those around you, you always had a smile on your face. Learning Tree is you and you will always hold a special place there... You are all in my thoughts and prayers.....
Christina Barbre
West Jordan, UT
Jane, my friend. There is so much history in that word when referring to her. She has seen me at my best and at my worst and never failed to offer up her mighty words of truth with a little bit of sparkle as only Jane could. 22 years ago she came into my life and we have been laughing with our immature humor ever since. Even in the darkness of our trials, Jane has always been a beacon of light too so many. To the Hosking family, thank you for letting your mom (and dad) be the parent to so many. I hope that through my life I will be able to teach, inspire and live as she did. Miss. Jane, ❤️ until we meet again my friend.
JESSICA Andrews-Wuebkes
STANSBURY PARK, Ut
Words cannot express how deeply saddened I feel at the passing of my dear friend, Jane. I first met Jane as she interviewed me for a position at The Learning Tree. She taught me so many things about childcare and life. She was always there to encourage me and helped me learn about high quality childcare. I grew to share her passion for children and quality childcare. She encouraged me to be the best that I could be and provided opportunities for me to learn and do new things. We shared many happy times as we traveled to many childcare conferences and worked together. We also shared many sad and hard times and she was always there with words of wisdom to help me through those times. I will always consider Jane a dear friend and am thankful that I was privileged to know her. To her dear family I want to tell you how sorry I am for your loss and that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy Olsen
West Valley City, Ut
Jane was amazing lady I learned so much from her when I met her at learning tree. She was always so bubbly and kind to everyone. My prayers go out to her and her family. RIP Jane. You will be missed by many.
Angela Poll
nan, nan
Bethany, I enjoyed and admired your mother immensely! We had many frank ( of course!) conversations regarding children and their care. I am so sorry for you and your children's loss. Kathryn
kathryn wright
Salt Lake City, UT