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Jane Van Atta Ellis, 45, died in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 19, 2010. A lifelong resident of Albuquerque, Jane graduated from the University of New Mexico on May 14, 1994, with a degree in health education. She endured the ravages of myotonic muscular dystrophy with dignity. Jane inherited a love of sports and medicine from her mother and her grandfather, Dr. John R. Van Atta, who established the first pathology and radiology laboratory in New Mexico. Lobo basketball star, Luke Longley, was a fellow student and a friend. Theresa Chisum, manager of the Quarters on Yale Boulevard, gave Jane a Denver Broncos scarf in recognition of her avid support of the team. Another highlight in her life was having actor Bill Daley and the late defense attorney, Mary Han, with whom she shared mystery novels, join her to celebrate special occasions. Although limited mobility restricted Jane's movement, she was interested in politics and voted faithfully by absentee ballot. She once wrote to former Congresswoman Heather Wilson, who had succeeded in winning a very close race that her brother had cast the vote that tied the race and that she, Jane, had cast the winning vote. On Wednesday afternoons, she volunteered at First Methodist Church and also took pleasure in the women's bible study group at Hoffmantown Church on Sunday mornings. Jane enjoyed contact with people and particularly enjoyed going out to dinner with her family. Jane was the youngest daughter of James Ellis and the late Mary Van Atta Ellis. Surviving members of her family include her father, her sister, Mary Ellis Clark and her husband, James Clark of Nashville, TN; Dr. William V. Allen and his wife, Sue and their family of Visalia, CA; Myrle Redmond and her husband, Collis Redmond and their family of Albuquerque, NM; and Dan Sisk and his wife, Kay and their family of Albuquerque, NM. The friends who illuminated her life and who will have extra stars in their crowns include Cody Wesner and her twin sister, Stormy Wesner, Sally Smith Grady, Crissy Grady and her son, Luke Sherston, Coral and Erica of Chez D'or Salon, Bertanie of Luxury Nails, Mrs. Carter Kirk, Hank Ellis, Marie Cain and her husband, Don, the Roessler brothers of Savoy, Seasons, and Zinc Restaurants, and her father's office family at Berger Briggs Real Estate and Insurance. A private family service will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, 11:00 a.m., at French - University. Please visit the online guestbook for Jane at: www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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