Jane Vinsonhaler Koch

Jane Vinsonhaler Koch passed away on April 20, 2017 at the age of 86 due to complications from gall bladder surgery.  She is survived by her sister, Emily Berberich; her two children, John W. Koch and Thomas L. Koch; her five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Jane was born in Jackson, Mississippi, spent her earliest years in Little Rock, Arkansas, and moved with her parents, Therese Barksdale Vinsonhaler and George Francis Vinsonhaler as a child to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Jane was co-valedictorian at her high school, and subsequently attended Vassar College.  In Cincinnati Jane met, and later married, Robert B. Koch, who studied to become an actuary and was later appointed vice president at the John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston. Jane and Bob lived and raised their family in Wayland, Massachusetts for twenty two years, retired to Four Hills in Albuquerque in 1981, and moved to La Vida Llena in 2007.  Jane was a devoted and loving wife and mother, enjoying a wonderful life and marriage to her husband, Bob who passed away in 2009.  Together they enjoyed golf, amateur theater, and travel, and Jane was an accomplished pianist and seamstress.  She gave generously of her time and energy for many years to causes including the Albuquerque BioPark as a docent at the zoo, and as a volunteer aid at the Presbyterian Hospital.  She enjoyed hobbies including calligraphy, genealogy, participating in Colonial Dames of America and other organizations.  Jane leaves behind many who will miss her warmth, friendliness, thoughtfulness, unique insights, sense of humor, and contagious smile. Her devotion to her loved ones and friends was always known by them, and her children will always hold her dear in their hearts for her compassion, sensitivity and love.  Jane will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, where she will rejoin her dear husband, Bob.

An informal reception to honor the memory of Jane will be held Sunday, April 30, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at La Vida Llena, 10501 Lagrima De Oro Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.  Donations in Jane’s memory can be made to the Albuquerque BioPark, 903 10th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 or the La Vida Llena Full Life Foundation.