Jane M. Trautwein

Jane Marie Trautwein

With deep love and gratitude, we share the loss of our beloved mother, Jane Marie Trautwein, who passed peacefully at home on January 30, 2025, at the age of 94, surrounded by her family.

Jane was born to the late John and Mary Cligget and raised in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, the youngest of six cherished siblings. She graduated from The Kensington High School for Girls at the age of 16 and began her career as a librarian at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1950, Jane married Albert Joseph Trautwein, the love of her life, coincidentally having grown up just across the street from one another in Kensington. Together, they built a life of love, family, and purpose, first in Levittown, before settling in Cheltenham, where they lived for more than fifty years, and later in Flourtown. Throughout their 63 years of marriage, they formed countless friendships and shared a deep commitment to their faith and community.

Jane dedicated her life to serving others and advocating for a more just and compassionate world. She was an early member of Beyond War and Anchor (A Non-denominational Community Harvesting Our Resources), tirelessly promoting peace and unity. She participated in prison ministry, offering hope and encouragement to those in need. Jane was a devoted advocate for environmental and social justice, and her unwavering kindness and strength made her a unifying force in the lives of so many. Jane was rarely seen without a world pin on her lapel, a symbol she eagerly shared with nearly everyone she met. The pin served as a reminder that all life shares this planet and because everything is interconnected, our thoughts, our choices, and our actions matter. 

Jane is survived by her eight children: Stephen (Lynne Petherbridge), Susan (Harry Ernst), Judi, Amy (Gerry Gerhard), Mary (Thomas Breslin), Daniel (Andrea Walter), Joseph (Jennifer Greve), and Jenifer, along with twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Additionally, she opened her home and her heart to the Vu family (Binh, An, Thuan, and Cuong), embracing them as part of her own and helping them build new lives in this country.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family in celebrating Jane’s beautiful life. Visitation will begin on Saturday, February 8th, at 9:00 A.M., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. at Medical Mission Sisters, 8400 Pine Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19111.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jane’s memory to her spiritual community, Medical Mission Sisters, whose mission of healing and service was close to her heart (www.medicalmissionsisters.org).

Jane’s legacy of kindness, faith, and unwavering dedication to others will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.