Jane Bradner Harvey, age 86, passed away peacefully in Corpus Christi, Texas on Nov. 30, 2018. Jane was born in 1932 to James Wood Bradner II and Lenore Crane Bradner in Manhattan, New York. Over the next few decades, the family moved across the United States, following the career of Jane’s father. The family spent a year in Virginia, and in 1942 moved to Texas to a ranch near Fort Worth. In 1945, her father became City Manager in Waco where Jane created the first student government at her high school. A year later, the family moved to La Marque, Texas near the Gulf Coast, where Jane became a high school cheerleader. Shortly after, the family built the first radio station in Galveston, Texas. Jane served as receptionist at KGBC-AM and kept the station phonograph archive, managing thousands of hours of music on vinyl records. Jane continued cheerleading at Ball High School in Galveston, where she was voted the prettiest girl in school. After high school Jane attended the University of Texas at Austin. In 1952, the new Galveston radio station became profitable and her parents could afford to send Jane and her brother Jim to an exchange program at the University of Mexico City for the summer.
Jane completed her undergraduate education at Mills College in Oakland, California in 1954 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Throughout her school years she was active in theatre and visual arts, a passion that continued throughout her entire life. After graduation, Jane taught elementary school in Alameda, California. She returned to Galveston in 1955 where she met a handsome young medical student, Thomas DeWitt Harvey. While acting in a local production of Little Women, a friend set her up on a blind date with DeWitt, who attended the play and presented her with flowers at the stage door. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple married at Grace Episcopal Church in Galveston - their union would last 63 years. After graduation, the couple moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Jane continued teaching school while DeWitt completed his medical training. DeWitt joined the Navy and the newlyweds moved to Laguna Beach, California near the naval base in Corona. There, in 1957, their first son Tom was born. Two years later the couple returned to Texas as DeWitt obtained his first position as a physician in Pampa. There Jane gave birth to their other two children, David and Anne.
While vacationing on the coast in Corpus Christi, DeWitt called a medical school friend who connected him with Thomas Spann Clinic and he accepted a position there. Jane became a leader in many civic and cultural projects, as the couple sank deep roots in the “sparkling city by the sea”. As president of the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance from 1989-1990, she helped organize various business, social and charitable functions, networking with hundreds of doctors and spouses. She was a faithful attendee at The Church of the Good Shepherd, where her children attended elementary school, she and DeWitt taught Sunday school, and she would periodically substitute teach. She was an active supporter of the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and the Art Museum of South Texas. Jane stayed active as a thespian, singing and acting in “The Sound of Music” production at the Corpus Christi Little Theater. Driven to improve herself, she earned a Master’s Degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies from Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi). In the 1980s she became a licensed real estate agent. Always an athlete, Jane enjoyed tennis, snow skiing, hiking and running. After the children were grown and gone, Jane and DeWitt traveled extensively and purchased a vacation getaway in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. They loved the southwest and hiked extensively thorough the Sangre de Cristo mountains enjoying the art communities of Taos and Santa Fe. Building on the love of nature from her early years, she and DeWitt became passionate birders and traveled the world to places like Africa, Central America and New Zealand. In 1996, she and DeWitt built a custom home in Flour Bluff, which they decorated with southwest art. In their new home, Jane found a new passion in raising and showing award-winning standard poodles. Jane will always be remembered by her many friends and relatives as a shining presence with a bright smile that could light up a room, radiating positive energy and life.
Jane is survived by her husband Thomas Dewitt Harvey, her three children and their spouses: Thomas Bradner Harvey, David DeWitt Harvey and Carolina Trevino Harvey, Anne Harvey O’Shell and Kenneth Lee O’Shell. The couple had five grandchildren: Roma Lela Bard-Harvey and Ryan Thomas Bard-Harvey (Tom), Travis DeWitt O’Shell (Anne), Sarah Ann Harvey and Kai David Harvey (David).
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the following individuals who showed great compassion and care for her during her final years: Dr. Mark Dodson, Dr. Nestor Praderio and his team, The Mirador staff and Jane’s many caregivers, especially Irma Romo.
To the end of her days, even as she declined in health, her brilliant smile could still reveal the true spirit of Jane Harvey. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of "Jane Harvey". Remembrances and condolences may be shared on her Seaside Memorial Park tribute web page. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
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