Jane Ellen Allan passed away on February 2, 2026. She was 77 years old. The cause of death was Alzheimer’s.

Jane was the daughter of the late Hon. James M. Langan and Eleanor F. (Crofwell) Langan. Jane had unwavering love for her three siblings and is survived by her sister, Nora Langan, and brother James Langan Jr. She was preceded in death by her sister, Carol Langan.

Jane is survived by her beloved husband and safe harbor of nearly 53 years, William “Bill” Allan.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marjorie Allan Kupiec, and four nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her AJ.

Jane is also survived by her beloved community, who enriched her life and sustained and supported her during her illness.

Jane was born in Boston and grew up in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood, where she attended Catholic school before attending college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jane worked as an organizer and social justice advocate in New York City. Jane’s hero was the Catholic Worker activist Dorothy Day. Day's example guided Jane’s life, and Day’s memory gave her comfort throughout her life.

Jane moved to Washington, DC in 1972. She met her future husband, Bill Allan, while unloading her car at the boarding house where they both lived. For Bill, it was love at first sight. Jane made quite the first impression with her knee-high boots, jeans, a cape, and a beret, standing on the hood of her Mustang, unloading the luggage she had strapped to the top of the car. Jane and Bill were married in the summer of 1973, eventually settling in Takoma Park, MD.

Jane attended law school at George Mason University in Arlington, VA. She passed the bar in both D.C. and Maryland, specializing in zoning and land-use regulation.

On a fortuitous vacation to the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s, Jane and Bill drove through Bainbridge Island and found the home they had been searching for. Jane put her organizing skills and legal background to work on behalf of multiple efforts and organizations on Bainbridge Island. Jane's friends and neighbors described her as a force. From 2001 to 2012, she served as the executive director of the Bainbridge Island Senior and Community Center. She loved the job, but even more, she loved the people.

Jane and Bill made wonderful friends as residents of The Olympian and later the Grow Community. Their kindness and support were great gifts to Jane and Bill.

Jane loved the outdoors and bike riding, and was well known for her walks around the neighborhood. She was a fan of community gardening, and her love of cherry tomatoes was legendary. She collected teacups and adored John Denver’s music.

Please consider a donation to one of the Bainbridge Island organizations that were near and dear to Jane’s heart:

• Bainbridge Island Senior & Community Center

• Island Volunteer Caregivers

• Helpline House

Extending understanding, care, compassion, and support to individuals and families experiencing memory loss and cognitive decline is an exceptional way to honor Jane’s life and her commitment to community.

“We have all known the long loneliness, and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” — Dorothy Day

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.