Elizabeth Jane Whiting Domke
“Janie”
Died Nov. 20, 2016
Elizabeth Jane Whiting Domke ("Janie" to all) passed
away peacefully on November 20, 2016. As she would have said herself she
has gone to her "reward". Diminutive in size, yet larger than
life, she was a true character who lived all 103 years of her life on her own
terms~ and until last week, she lived independently with her dog, Dolly, in her
sunny home she designed and built a year ago.
Janie was born in 1913 in Jackson, Michigan, and witnessed
many major historical events of the last century, all of which she could recall
in detail. Regaling friends and family with memories, she was flattered
and game when asked for a story, making her subjects come alive with perfect
timing.
She danced the Charleston in the 20's, told tales of
Prohibition and Speakeasies, the Great Depression and of World War II.
Always wonderful to hear were endless tales of her family, funny
circumstances with friends and her times away at school. Mt Vernon
Seminary, Bradford College and finally U of M where she met her husband of 70
years, Cliff. Together they traveled the world, but always a "Camp
Girl" at heart, some of her most cherished times were of her days at Chippewa
Trail Camp on Elk Lake. Her love of Michigan prevailed.
As a mother of two daughters, Janie, ahead of the times,
wanted to work so started her own Interior Design firm, creating interiors with
innovative color combinations and style. She continued to practice her
art her entire life with talent and panache: painting, designing and creating
original needlepoint projects which were often donated to local non-profits to
be auctioned at fundraisers for the Old Art Building, the Leelanau Conservancy
and Fishtown Preservation.
Janie and Clifford Domke started their lives together in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, then Scarsdale, NY, Washington DC, as Cliff's career as a tax
lawyer dictated. They returned to Jackson, Michigan to set up a law
practice and raise their two daughters, Carol and Nell. Upon retirement,
they lived in N Carolina, S Carolina and Florida before they came to Leland to
live full-time. During these many years, Janie lived in 27 homes, many of
which she designed herself. She was totally happy in her last home,
enjoying every sunrise while nestled amongst the tall pines Cliff planted from
seedlings.
Books and the Wall Street Journal were always at her side as
she was a great reader and historian: historical biographies were ever-present.
She would consider all sides politically to gain a deeper knowledge of the
world - that knowledge and curiosity made her think big. Jane was a very
strong and inspirational woman to those who knew her well. Her subtle
sense of humor was always just under the surface and was easily tapped when
telling one of her famous stories. She lived her life well with a
comfortable sense of proportion.... a true lady of a bygone era.
Outwardly, this demure persona often surprised people as she
was a fierce competitor at the bridge table. She was a golfer of sorts,
ready to play but somewhat irreverent, as the main object was to spend time
with her husband and socialize with friends. She won the putter
championship at the Leland CC and would silently show people her certificate,
bringing gales of laughter. Her gardens through her life had a sense
of freedom bringing boundless color and magic to all her homes. Jane had
many ways to express herself in a quiet way and was, without doubt, the biggest
influence on her artist daughter, Nell Revel Smith. This small incredible
lady has moved on in the most fashionable and practical way and we are all so
fortunate to have had her in our lives.
Known by many, she was watched over by the entire community of
Leland, Michigan. She drove her little red car, slowly and carefully, on
her daily trips to the Merc and Post Office. Her independence was a
priority. Her family would like to thank, from the bottom of their
hearts, all of you who helped her live out her life, keeping her indomitable
spirit intact.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the charity of one's
choice.
Janie leaves 2 brothers, Justin and John, a daughter and
son-in-law, Nell & Powell Smith, four grandchildren, Thomas James, Jr (Julie),
Beth Reid, Justin P Revel “JP” (Sarah) and Maggie Mielczarek (Greg) and nine
great grandchildren. Her long life was full and remarkable. Her
family attributes her great health, sense of humor and stamina to her
forebears, working on endless beautiful gardens, curiosity and last but not
least - her evening cocktail. If we were with her we would toast and she would
say (as her mother did) "here's to us, none better!"
Clink, clink!
