FLUMMERFELT, Jane A. Musician 70, passed away peacefully at home in Lexington on December 21, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Jane's passing followed a long and brave struggle with lung cancer after an unexpected diagnosis nearly six years ago. She went through her treatment with great courage and good spirits, and treasured the last several years she was able to spend with her family and friends, and especially with her three grandchildren, whom she adored. Jane is survived by her husband, J. Kent Flummerfelt; her son, Mark Flummerfelt and his wife Natalie de Oliveira of Brooklyn, NY; and her son, Tom Flummerfelt and his wife Dahlia Fetouh, and grandchildren Leila, Rami and Kaden of Winchester, MA. She is also survived by her brother, David Rutledge of St. Paul, MN; her sister, Nancy Rutledge Swan of Sudbury, MA; and by many nieces and nephews. Jane was born in Kansas City, MO, daughter of the late H. Wallace Rutledge and the late Eva Jean (McCleary) Rutledge, and is a sister of the late Dr. Edward Rutledge.
Jane received her bachelor's degree in music (piano performance) from Indiana University and a master's degree in conducting from Northwestern University. A talented and versatile musician, Jane was an organist, choral conductor and director of music at several churches in the Chicago and Boston areas during her career, and was active as a music educator and advocate. Jane is a former board member of the Boston Early Music Festival and was involved with the American Guild of Organists, Choral Arts New England, Choral Singer and many other organizations. Jane was an avid traveler and enjoyed exploring, hiking and cycling in countries throughout the world, though as a lifelong Francophile was probably happiest to spend time in Paris, her favorite city. Calling hours will be held Friday, February 17, at the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Road, LEXINGTON, MA from 5pm to 8pm, and a memorial service will be celebrated Saturday, February 18, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Ave, Needham, MA at 11am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Jane may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital in support of lung cancer research. Jane led a healthy, active lifestyle and that she was nonetheless afflicted with lung cancer reflects the fact that research into this and other especially aggressive cancers merits more attention and greater support. Gifts can be made online at http://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/ or mailed to the MGH Development Office, attention: Carrie Powers, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Checks payable to Massachusetts General Hospital. Please include "in honor of Jane Flummerfelt" on the memo line.