Jane Curtiss Watkin*

Jane Curtiss Watkin ’44, ’45N was not yet 18 years old when she arrived on campus in 1940 to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Today, at 93 years old, she credits her Rochester training for a successful 40-year career of caring for others and serving as an administrator at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Honoring this long relationship was important to her. “Every year I’d get a request to make a gift and wished I could do more. Then I learned about the charitable gift annuity,” said Jane, whose 2002 gift provides her guaranteed income for life while enabling her to make a larger gift than she thought possible to the School of Nursing. “As it turned out, I have more than gotten my money back over the years. It was a good financial and philanthropic decision.”

In 2013, Jane underwent aortic valve replacement surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital. “I saw how much more sophisticated nursing care is today. I am proud to know my gift will help further advance the profession in years to come.

Jane served as a nurse and administrator at Strong Memorial Hospital from 1945 to 1985. She is pictured with School of Nursing student Shakira Sebastian ’17N in the Jane Ladd Gilman ’42 Nursing Skills Lab in Helen Wood Hall. Jane is a member of the Wilson Society.