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Share a memory of Jane

(see responses below)

Bill McMaster​
Mom and Dad built a home on Clear Lake, Indiana in 2014 to provide a place to gather with their kids and grandkids. Mom did not love the water but could often be found sitting at the end of the dock watching us speed by in the boat usually towing the kids on the ‘tubes’.

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Sarah (McMaster) Harper
One of many favorite memories with Mom is the annual shopping trip we would take to the outlet mall just South of Columbus. In true Jane and Sarah fashion, this was an all-day affair. We had to map out a plan for which stores we were going to prioritize and then spend from open to close (literally) shopping. We would try on hundreds of outfits and put things on hold at each store until the end of the day when we would race back to each store to beat closing time to purchase our favorites. Early on, we learned we had to emphasize to the store employees that even though it was 10 am when we initially entered their store, we would in fact be shopping ALL day and we would return by store close, even if just minutes before closing time. We learned this emphasis was a necessity because in the first few years, store employees would assume we weren’t coming back for our held items and start putting back what we had asked them to set aside. This was upsetting to Mom because having to regather what was put away would set us back on our dash to be sure we made it back to every spot before close. While the shopping was fun, the best part about these trips was our time together— a time dedicated to each other, filled with laughter, shared stories, and joy. The anticipation of this day and the memories we created became a highlight of each year.

Jenni McMaster
Looking, looking...as I saved more seats for Jane and Rob...I always loved when I looked and saw them walk in to see another one of Jack and Bella's events at school or anywhere where they had an activity. . Jane never missed a game, awards ceremony, concert, speech, or special day for her grandkids. The love she had for the kids was unmatched. She would drive through the snow and rain---miles and miles just to see her grandkids. They always knew they were loved by her. Her final words to them was that she wished she could see all of their future events. Well, we know she is with us and is guiding her grandkids to be the best they can be. The time she took out of her days to BE there is a lesson for us all. Life is short and BEING there means the world to loved ones. That is one of the myriad of lessons she taught us. She was the embodiment of love. We love you, wonderful Jane.

Brett Harper
I was not aware that people could be so patient and kind. Jane was so calm and directed amongst often large personalities. She was my definition of grace. 

She also always destroyed me in Euchre - but it was never clear if she realized what was even happening or even what game we were playing...Jedi mind tricks. 

Peter Harper
Grandma was super excited about going to the Louvre and she knew everything about it. That was a really memorable experience because I have never seen that side of grandma. She was always super nice and kind but it was cool to see her interests.

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Joyce Pepple
Jane was not a water person but she loved Lakeside on Lake Erie. We spent some great vacations there. The picture of Jane that I chose to post was from Lakeside. We (but probably Jane and Rob because they never missed an opportunity to be generous) rented a house there with a cozy front porch. Jane is sitting in a rocking chair on the porch reading. The memories of Jane at Lakeside always make me smile. She's missed every second of every day.

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Scott Pepple
Jane was the senior-most of my big sisters. I think I probably ruined several of her big life events by acting like a spoiled little kid ( which I was ), but I will never forget the time she told off a shopkeeper for shooing me out of her store ( I had been playing with a display ). Jane was very analytical , reasonable and professional, but she overcame all that to tell off a snooty shopkeeper for her bratty little brother. Made me grow-up a little to see her be so much on my side.

Jackson McMaster

Our family once went on a trip to Europe, that was planned by Grandma Jane. Going into the trip, I was somewhat nervous about what it would actually entail, going to Paris, London, and Normandy in the span of only a handful of days seemed somewhat daunting. Looking back on it now, I am truly amazed with how well the entire vacation was organized, down to every single place we ate. Even with the temperatures being some of the highest ever recorded, Grandma Jane expertly crafted an experience for her family that we will never forget in our entire lives.

Bill McMaster
Christmas was a big deal in my mother’s family (still is). Her parents, Stan and Loella Pepple, would host their six kids, and their families, and my great-grandmother (Grandma G.). Christmas morning started with a feast and then we opened presents….for four hours. The present part took so long because we would open gifts one at a time – youngest to oldest – and because my mom gave a lot of gifts and enthusiastically told a story with each gift. She loved being around her family.

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Isabella McMaster

Grandmas love for books is apparent throughout her career, and I remember her passing her passion on to her grandkids when we visited the Fremont Public Library just a few minutes from the lake house. I left with some books to read and a whole new insight into choosing a book as a little kid. I’m reminded of her compassion, thoughtfulness and love for literature every time I turn a page.

John Harper
My favorite memories of grandma are all from the lake. She never got on the water but she made the lake feel like a second home. Every day when I woke up without fail she would ask me a million questions about what I wanted to do and what I wanted for breakfast. She always showed her love and care for not just me, but everyone she encountered.

Judy Greffin

When I graduated from college, Jane stepped into the role of lead booster and job placement officer. She opened doors and promoted her little sister to the movers and shakers of Columbus. Knowing Jane, she likely carried a copy of my resume in her purse. Her efforts paid off thanks to a Junior League event at a senior officer's home of Huntington Bank. She convinced him that he needed me on the bank's team despite the fact that I was a marketing major and he was looking for candidates with a finance background. It worked and I joined the team. Her generosity, her belief in me and her commitment to my well-being sent me on a path that changed my life in my ways than one. She also introduced me to an advertising executive, Bill Greffin, who didn't have a job for me, but did become my husband. Changed the course of my life indeed!

Bill Greffin
Jane and I met in the 1970s as we joined forces to save Columbus’s landmark Union Station. We failed at that. In the early ‘80s, Jane asked me to meet her sister and maybe get her a job in my chosen field of advertising. I failed at that, too, all by myself. Fortunately, Jane stepped in and introduced Judy to the Huntington Bank, and that launched Judy into a remarkably successful career in finance. Whether generous or superstitious, Jane never mentioned the one, last big thing I could well have goofed up. And after 39 years, Judy and I are still married. Thanks for your patience, Jane.

Audrey Greffin
I remember our family going to Jane and Rob’s house over Thanksgiving one year. My Aunt Joyce was busy in the kitchen (naturally) and Jane was helping Joyce find and pull ingredients she needed from the pantry and cupboards. I’m sure I was cracking eggs or mixing something (your average kid task), but I remember watching the two of them erupt into laughter over the expiration dates of the canned goods they’d find. Literally, laugh-crying for the better part of an hour over expired food. Before I knew it, everyone in the house was laughing in the kitchen. Jane had the best laugh. And at night, Jane would play Scrabble with my mom and other aunts. Things got exciting when someone would challenge another player’s word, causing the dreaded dictionary to be placed on the table (this was pre-smartphone times). Again, more laughs as debates over spelling and context ensued. Of course, Jane was the best at Scrabble and most of everything else. And if she wasn’t the best, she didn’t seem to care. She loved being with her family and we loved being with her. I’m grateful for every moment.

Annie (Yoder) Smith
At Pepple Gatherings, when you wanted good conversation and a calming presence, you looked for Aunt Jane. She was thoughtful, funny (often times unintentionally) and smart. She was a silent assassin at the Euchre table. You’d be laughing and having fun and next thing you know she has set you 3 times and you’re off to the losers table having no idea what just happened. Now that I think about it, growing up you always wanted to be in Aunt Jane’s orbit. Good things happened there. Wanted to win at Trivia Pursuit? Be on Jane’s team. Want to be on the winning PGI team? Your best bet was Jane’s team. Even if you didn’t win, you knew it was going to be low on stress but high on fun. Wanted the best Christmas gift? Hope Jane got your name because she gave the best gifts and always spent more than the agreed upon amount. Her nieces and nephews hit the jackpot with her as our Aunt. Her quiet confidence left an undeniable impression on all of us lucky to call her Aunt Jane. We are going to miss her dearly. 

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Judy Greffin
Some of my favorite memories are my travels with my sisters. We would travel far and wide from Story, Indiana to Hampton Court. We could always count on Jane to bring an off-the-beaten path perspective to our plans. Who knew we could actually stay in Henry the VIII's Hampton Court Palace? Jane did and made it happen. We stayed in an apartment in a palazzo on Piazza di Santa Croce years before there was anything like Airbnb. Not all of our accommodations were palaces --we also stayed at what seemed to be an abandoned house at the end of a very dark lane in rural Pennsylvania. Thanks to Jane these trips always created great memories and wonderful stories

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Bill McMaster
Mom LOVED broadway shows - especially musicals. Tickets to those shows made the perfect gifts because she also loved to spend time with us. Truth be told I think I got even more out of those shows than she did. Many of those shows involved trips to Chicago and stays at her sister’s apartment on Lake Michigan. Some of her favorites were Wicked, Hamilton, Simon and Garfunkel tribute. We also saw an unforgettable tribute to Etta James (!) and a hilarious reading of David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries.

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Nancy Recchie
I met Jane when I came back to Columbus in the mid-1970s to begin a career in historic preservation. I joined the Junior League that same year. I was delighted to meet Jane in the League - we shared a love of architecture and historic preservation and worked on a number of committees together. Later, when I worked for the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, Jane was one of our most loyal and hardworking volunteers. She trained other volunteers, worked on several successful grant applications, and led tours. Jane was also one of the first people I would call when I was looking for research material on Columbus architecture and American architectural history. She left her mark on the Knowlton School of Architecture's superb library. Jane will be missed by so many people who have benefited from her friendship, her expertise, and her commitment to the Columbus community.

Audrey Greffin

A few years back, I decided I needed a dog in my life. This decision didn’t go over well with my parents, especially not with my mom. She hosts a family gathering at our lake house each year (the famed Pepple Palooza) and had a laundry list of concerns when it came to adding a dog to the mix. Once the dog coming became unavoidable, I was told specifically to keep him away from two people: Janet and Jane. Once there, he kept a safe distance from my Aunt Janet (smart boy!) but was surprisingly sweet to Jane, and Jane was surprisingly sweet to him. In the moment, I thought I had witnessed a miracle. That my dog—my horribly behaved but relatively cute dog—had turned my Aunt Jane into a dog person. Of course, I was wrong. Jane wasn’t crazy about dogs and mine didn’t change that, but their interaction did reaffirm one thing: Jane is kind. Every time I saw Jane after that, she asked about my dog. I’m not sure if she ever really cared about him, but I know she cared about me and I suspect that’s where her interest sparked from. Those small, thoughtful gestures meant a lot to me. They still do and always will.

Joyce Pepple

Jane and Rob lived in Rye, NY for a short time about 50 years ago. We went to visit Jane and meet baby Bill. Jane took the opportunity to us to see The Wiz on Broadway. For kids from a small town in Ohio it was awesome and unforgettable. Jane did that a lot--took us on adventures that always turned out to be the most fun we ever had. The"girls" took many trips with our mother. One example of how incredible trips with Jane were was our trip to London. She arranged for us to stay in an apartment at Hampton Court (one of Henry VIII's castles). Jane made everything special.

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Jennifer Yoder
My aunt Jane was an ideal role model. She was as close to perfect as one could be, and I feel very, very lucky to have been her niece. I always enjoyed spending time with her, from our visits to Columbus when I was growing up, our inaugural and back-to-back PGI championships, our lunches when we were both on campus at Ohio State (I was quick to brag about my aunt who was the architecture librarian), our trip to Italy, to our time spent at the New Yorker Festival. I was in awe of her patient parenting, her confidence and sense of self, her knowledge of everything, her curiosity, and her planning prowess. She was a beautiful person who made me laugh, feel comfortable, and supported, and I usually learned something with every conversation. I am so grateful for her and will miss her dearly. I will hold her close to my heart and try to emulate all the wonderful characteristics she so effortlessly embodied.

Matthew Reber 

I met Jane McMaster in 2006 when I started working at the bookstore at the Wexner Center for the Arts. We spent a lot of time going back and forth communicating about hard to find architecture books and journals that I would help her acquire for the Library at the Knowlton School of Architecture. Over time we developed a friendship. She’d come into the store to peruse our shelves, meticulously flip through books at my desk, make notes and review her final choices for the library. We would talk regularly about our families and lives. When Jane retired in 2013 I feared that was the end of our working relationship but an endowment was established in her name and a book buying fund was set up by KSA faculty who immensely valued her expertise and curation choices for the library. Because of this, Jane started coming by to choose more books and talk turned to her grandchildren and my son who all happened to go to Bexley High School. Jane was particularly supportive of the unionizing work i was involved with at the Wex and I will always remember her huge smile when i told her of those successes. Much love to Jane’s husband, children and grandchildren. She spoke about you with such love and pride. I am fortunate to have known her and get a glimpse of this wonderful person who you cherished so much. I will miss her.

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