Jane Greene is 84 years young. With a love of knowledge and teaching, Jane states that she “will teach anyone, anything they want to know!” For over 17 years, she has been the beloved volunteer nurse in the Tallahassee Senior Center’s Health Suite. As the consummate professional, she checks participants’ blood pressure, performs glucose screenings, answers health-related questions, and educates them about how to maintain good health. Jane treats every person she encounters with compassion and respect.
Since childhood, Jane had always wanted to be a nurse, but was discouraged by her mother. At age 38, she entered and graduated from an LPN program, and 10 years later, she decided to pursue her degree as a Registered Nurse, graduating two months before her 50th birthday! Jane says it’s important to note that she “was not the oldest person in her class!”
During her many years as a nurse in South Florida, she worked in a variety of settings, including psychiatrics, cardiac care, and surgery. Jane says she loved providing care in each of those areas. Before becoming a nurse, Jane worked in banking, the oil industry, and at an adoption agency.
Jane has always been an active member of the community. As a full-time stay-at-home mother to her four children (which she considered an honor and a privilege), she was involved in their schools and their multitude of activities, which included serving as PTA president and girls’ softball coach. She remains active in her homeowner’s association and is currently a member of her neighborhood’s social committee.
In addition to her role as a volunteer nurse at the TSC, Jane welcomes participants and assists with check-in at the Tuesday morning Life Exercise class, a role she accepted as one of the first volunteers to return after reopening from COVID. She graciously assists the center during many other special events. Jane is also a longtime member of the Senior Singers group that meets weekly and performs at local assisted living facilities. She is a 2015 graduate of the TSC’s Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders (TALL) program.
Jane always finds humor in the world around her. She is a world traveler who hopes to visit more exotic locales in the future. When asked about her secret to successful aging, she says, “Honestly, I believe that the secret is staying active and involved.” She specifically credits her busy social life, and her love of games and puzzles. She stays physically active by walking, participating in water aerobics, and doing her own yardwork (except the mowing)!
By Ruth Nickens
