Jane Robertshaw Kircher, J.D.

Jane Robertshaw Kircher, J.D., 70, passed away November 19, 2023, at University of New Mexico Hospital.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lois Robertshaw, sister Ann Strickland, uncle John Seagrist, and nephew Evan Strickland.

She is survived by her three children: Bonnie Kircher, Emily Kircher, John Kircher; grandchild Charlotte; nieces: Rachel Strickland, Sarah Strickland, dog Bailey, and other extended family and many special friends.

Jane was born November 20, 1952, in Houston, Texas to John and Lois Robertshaw. Jane graduated from Bellaire High School and subsequently attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she developed a love for the liberal arts and lifelong learning. After graduating, she attended law school at the University of Colorado Boulder. Jane moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she settled and worked as a hearing officer for the state of New Mexico. She conducted her work with compassion and kindness, treating everyone who came through her office with respect.

After retiring, Jane focused her attention on teaching, a vocation she loved and was good at. She worked in childcare at the Jewish Community Center in Albuquerque and was valued for her ability to teach young people how to find joy in learning. She also cared for children afterschool and always had a planned baking, crafting, or gardening activity. She took classes at CNM in pursuit of a dream of leading her own classroom. Her teaching style focused on sparking curiosity, happiness, and emotional intelligence in kids.

Jane was a deeply generous person who prioritized loved ones above all else. She raised four children and had a large community of friends that she kept in touch with daily. She loved the outdoors and would regularly teach her granddaughter about gardening and hiking. She often enjoyed visiting her son in Angel Fire, New Mexico and never missed a torchlight parade. She was an avid gardener and collected seeds from plants around town to grown in her own backyard. She loved life in all its forms and would carry water in her car to water trees in the medians of roads in her neighborhood. She always had a hummingbird feeder out and would send updates about the hummingbirds that visited. She was devoted to the dogs in her life, specifically to Gracie and Nelly.  Jane was also passionate about promoting social justice and climate equity.

Jane's Life Celebration will begin with a remembrance on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 10:00 am at the Carolino Canyon Upper. Reception will begin at 11am.

Jane regularly donated on Donor Choose, a platform to support educators in high-need communities and rarely missed an opportunity to support educators that she cared about.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to a classroom of your choice at DonorsChoose.org.