Middlebury, Vermont

October 19, 2023

JANE N. GARRETT

MIDDLEBURY — Jane N. Garrett died peacefully on Oct. 12, 2023, at her home at EastView in Middlebury, Vt. Born on July 16, 1935, Jane was the daughter of Edna Davidson Nuckols and D. Elwood Nuckols of Smyrna, Del.

After attending schools in Delaware, Jane earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Delaware. Her marriage in 1957 to Wendell D. Garrett ended in divorce in 1973.

From 1957-68, Jane held administrative positions at the Boston (Mass.) Athenaeum Library. From 1967-2011, Jane worked mainly from Vermont as an editor for the publisher Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in New York City, where eight books she edited won Pulitzer Prizes in history. Books Jane edited also won two National Book Awards, eight Bancroft Prizes in history, and more than 50 other awards and prizes.

During her publishing career, Jane also lived a full life of ministry in the Episcopal Church. Ordained a priest in the Diocese of Vermont in 1981, Jane served the parish of St. Stephen’s Church in Middlebury as assistant from 1981 to 1987. From 1973-2003, she was very active in the church on the Diocesan and national levels, serving on commissions and committees concerned with peace, justice, and sexuality.

In 1973, Jane spent a year in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) doing adult literacy work, helping  develop a program to publish books for new adult readers; then, before she returned home, trained African teachers to carry on that work.

In 1997, Jane was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Middlebury College. In 1999, the University of Delaware awarded her its Medal of Distinction, “the highest medal awarded by the University… in recognition of cultural/intellectual/scientific achievements.”

Memorial gifts may be made in Jane’s name to Homeward Bound, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, Vt., 05753; or to Elderly Services, Inc., 112 Exchange St., Middlebury, Vt., 05753.

A memorial service and celebration of Jane’s life will take place at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18.