Jane P. Kofler, 95, of Alexandria, Va., and Alna, passed away on Nov. 19.
Jane was born Feb. 3, 1911, in Chicago, Ill. to Edith Kellogg Philbrick and Allen E. Philbrick.
Her mother was a concert pianist and her father was an artist and professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. Jane followed in both their footsteps as a member of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, playing the violin, and as an artist and teacher.
After graduating from Wellesley College in 1932, and attending the Chicago Art Institute, she taught fine arts and art history at Milwaukee Downer College in Milwaukee, Wis.
In 1943, during WWII, Jane took a job in Washington, D.C. as a draftsman for the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor of the CIA. There she met and married John G. Kofler, originally from New Orleans, La. They lived first in Alexandria, Va. and later moved to Tauxemont, Va., not far from Mount Vernon, Va. Their three children were raised in Tauxemont, Va. and Jane and John lived there until John’s death in 2003.
During her life in Tauxemont, Va., Jane taught art history in the Fairfax County Public Schools.
In 1972, she earned an M.A. in art history from American University and in 1975, became an adjunct professor at George Washington University, teaching courses in art history.
As an artist, Jane, along with John, created silk-screened note cards of old Alexandria, Va. She also worked in oil and watercolor and exhibited at the Phillips Gallery, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Alexandria Art League, the Alexandria Library, the Studio Gallery, and the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, and created art for private collections.
In the 1970’s, Jane began to take classes in stained glass at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Va. She created many small pieces for private collectors. In 1984, she designed and fabricated the 8 ft. in diameter stained glass window for the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Va. where she was a charter member. She also created a window for the meditation room of INOVA Mt. Vernon Hospital and in collaboration with another glass artist, created windows for the Oakton United Methodist Church in Oakton, Va. Her art seminars and museum tours in Washington were well attended by church members.
Throughout her life, Jane summered and painted in mid-coast Maine. Always interested in new ideas, Jane and John took a class on how to build your own house at the Shelter Institute, now in Woolwich. This resulted in their participating in the building of their own home in Alna in the 1980’s. They are part of the Oscar nominated documentary film, Urge to Build, about the Shelter Institute. Their home was built on 70 wooded acres on the Sheepscot River. This led to their interest in forestry management and a weekend extension program offered by the University of Maine. Inspired by this experience, Jane and John became part of the Maine Tree Farm Program, an effort that continues today.
Jane will be greatly missed by her three children, Anne Kofler of Alna, Susie Kofler of Cheverly, Md., and John Kofler of Waxhaw, N.C.; brother, Allen K. Philbrick; grandson, Marshall Kofler; grandchildren, Max and Alyona Kofler; sister-in-law, Elaine Philbrick; and daughter-in-law, Debbie Kofler; and Dee Zamora.
Celebration of Jane Kofler’s life will be held on her birthday, 2 p.m., Sat., Feb. 3, 2007 at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Va.
Those who wish to make a donation in Jane’s memory may contribute to Miles Memorial Hospital, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543 or to the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307.
