Jane Catherine Pitt Overesch

Jane Catherine Pitt Overesch, 96, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on October 14, 1921 in Kansas City, MO to William P. and Elma (Thompson) Pitt. She graduated from Bryant Elementary and Southwest High School. Jane then went on to pursue a nursing career and graduated from Research College of Nursing in 1941. She served her country as a nurse in the US Army during World War II, traveling to the Philippines and Japan. Jane recollected that during the war she was sent on a hospital ship across the Pacific Ocean with fellow doctors and nurses. "We didn't have a clue where they were taking us, " Jane said, "and it didn't bother us one bit! After dinner, we would head out to the deck, turn on the radio, and dance for hours in complete darkness." Jane described those nights as "pure heaven", transforming what could have been a frightening time into one of her best memories of the war. Afterward, she worked as a nurse at St. Luke's Hospital and later Research Hospital where she met her husband, Harry B. (Bud) Overesch, MD. After their marriage in 1951, Jane and Bud discovered a passion for gardening. Years later, with 6 children and a large variety of pets, Jane continued her love for gardening, growing roses, perennial plants, water gardens, and flowers. She was a member of the Jackson County Rose Society and participated in many competitions. Her beautiful and unique garden has been featured in books, magazines and even television! She was also a huge lover of animals and family pets included dogs, cats, chickens, goats, geese, and peacocks. Jane's artistic talents and hobbies included gourmet cooking, photography, bird watching, reading, sewing, and creative writing. She loved music of all kinds, but especially Frank Sinatra. Jane and Bud also loved to travel and visited Europe, Greece, Central America, the Caribbean, Galapagos Islands, and Bahamas. There are many fond memories of family vacations that consisted of driving to the beach with 6 children packed in a station wagon. Jane's passion for life included her great sense of humor. She described many family members as either "good as gold" or "rotten to the core" which was reserved for those who had earned disapproval. She also had many, many friends of all ages and was a member of "The Dirty Martini Club" in which "meetings" were held listening to Frank Sinatra and drinking martinis. She was a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan. Jane was an example of living life to the fullest and frequently said that "one must have a reverence for life." Her favorite toast was "May you live forever, and I shall never die". Upon hearing news of her death, one close friend commented that we have come to the end of a wonderful era. Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Harry B. Overesch, MD and a son, James Brent. She is survived by son Harry Benjamin III (Ben) and Jacque, Carthage, TX; son William Pitt (Bill) and Nancy, Austin, TX; daughter Anne Catherine and Tim Quillin, Tucson, AZ; daughter Allison Jane and Steve Moore, Kansas City, MO; son Harvey Edward Blair and Joel, Shawnee, KS; grandchildren William Brett and Jessica, Austin, TX; Drew Harvey, Austin TX; Victoria Wren, Chicago, IL; Lauren Jean and Taylor Smith, Olathe, KS; Elizabeth Catherine (Betsy), Alexandria, VA; Benjamin William Blair and fianc Carly Brandt, Kansas City, MO; Max Edward Blair, Shawnee, KS; Jack McDonald Pitt, Shawnee, KS; and great grandchildren Henry Taylor, Eleanor Jean, and Evelyn Jane Smith, Olathe, KS. She also leaves behind her beloved dog Trudy, and cats Jeremy and Winston. Private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Powell Gardens.