Jane (Allen) Geist

Born January 1, 1935 to William and Nathalie Allen, Jane Allen Geist was gathered to God on June 12, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Jane graduated from Bosse High School in Evansville, IN, receiving her AB from Indiana University in Government, minoring in Psychology and Journalism. University years included membership in Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, with much activity in campus organizations. Serving as president of the IU Chapter of the American Association of University Women, Jane was also a student senator, as was her future husband, Daniel Geist. Married two days before their graduation in 1956, the couple moved to Fort Devens, MA, where Dan was posted as an Army Lieutenant. His commission next took them to Frankfurt, Germany, allowing European travel they both enjoyed. Back at her alma mater in 1958, Jane worked in the IU Public Affairs Office while Dan was in graduate school. A year later found them in Pittsburgh, PA, starting a family. As they made homes in various cities, including Montreal, Quebec, and Mendham, NJ, Jane lovingly cared for two children, whom she taught to see adventure wherever they lived. Exploring together, the family learned to sail and cross-country ski. For many years, Jane worked in nearby Morristown, first at Planned Parenthood as Executive Assistant for Public Relations and Board of Directors, then as Executive Secretary for a Vice President at AT&T.



In 1993, Jane and Dan moved to New Mexico. Each week saw her volunteering, a commitment paralleling years of service to some six organizations in the Northeast. Here in Albuquerque she helped offer the Grace Meal at First United Methodist Church, clerked at Explora Museum, planted for Tree New Mexico Inc., and served with United Way. Having hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail and the Adirondacks, she brought that passion west, where she hiked and snow-shoed with friends in Happy Hoofers Hiking Club and the New Mexico Mountain Club—over the years climbing eighteen of Colorado’s Fourteeners, the highest peaks in the Rockies.



Jane is survived by husband, Dan Geist; children, Margot and Ben Geist; sister, Mag Lindsey and brother-in-law, Jim Hitch; daughter-in-law, Jan Ediger Geist; grandchildren, Aaron and Caroline Geist; as well as two cousins, a niece, and three nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 315 Coal Ave. SW, Albuquerque, 87102. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Jane’s name to Grace Meal Ministry, c/o First United Methodist Church, at the above address.