Jane Oblender Atwater Steinman

Jane Oblender Atwater Steinman, a resident of Country Meadows, 1380 Elm Avenue, Lancaster, PA, died on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. She was tenderly and lovingly cared for by the employees of Country Meadows for two and a half years. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Ethel Bowen Oblender. She was the adopted daughter of her grandparents, C.W. and Mary Jane Oblender after the death of her natural parents. After the death of her adopted parents (grandparents) she was adopted by Richard and Marguerite I. Bailey Oblender. (Her uncle and aunt). Jane was the wife of the late Frederick W. Steinman who died in 1997. She was a graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School in 1945 and a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated from the college of William & Mary in 1949 where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Jane married Howe Atwater in 1948 and a homemaker to her children, Charlotte Miller wife of S. Douglas Miller, Richard Howe Atwater, husband of Michelle F. Atwater and Pierce Atwater, husband of Elaine K. Atwater. Also surviving are her three grandsons, Benjamin Howe Atwater, Justin Howe Miller, and Travis Douglas Miller, two granddaughters: Laura Elizabeth Bender and Heather Miller Garcia and 5 great granddaughters and a great grandson. They are: Naomi Garcia, Olivia Garcia, Michael Pierce Atwater, Alexis Whitney Atwater, Allison Kathryn Bender and Kimberly Grace Bender. Also surviving a very special stepson, Kurt Steinman, and two childhood friends, Ruth E. Groff and Shirley Grube. She was a past member of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood, the Lancaster County Riding and Tennis Club, the Women’s Symphony Association, and was a past member of the Junior League of Lancaster. Very active in sports, she was Chairman of the Senior Games in Lancaster in 2000. She was ranked 16 in women’s singles in the Middle States during the 1960’s. Jane and Fred Steinman won the Pennsylvania mixed doubles in 1958. She also played doubles in the National Mothers/Daughters with her daughter, Charlotte Atwater Miller at Forest Hill. Jane started her work career in 1974 as program director at Racquet Club West and held that position until age 80. She also taught tennis at Racquet Club West for 15 years. The following was written by Jane September 23, 2008: Memoirs from Jane Oblender Steinman – Early life called “How Lucky I was” – I never knew my father, as he died when I was nine months old. He was twenty-seven and died from Peritinitis after appendix surgery, my mother died when I was six. She was thirty-four. I have strong memories of her. Her favorite song was “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” She had a friend, or a boyfriend, who was at the house, 553 W. Walnut Street and one day I may have agitated him, because he took a swing at me and missed. My mother said get out. I never want to see you again. My mother nicknamed me “Sugar”. My father’s mother, Grandma Oblender, said that if she had to choose between Aunt Kate, my Father, and Uncle Dick, her three children, she would certainly choose my mother, my mother went to school and became a hairdresser, Grandma loved that. I was staying with grandma and grandpa Oblender when my mother was on vacation and died during surgery about that time. Grandpa put his arms round me at 106 Pearl Street and said “Now you are our little girl.” The next day we were at the courthouse and I had my second set of parents. They did everything for me. There were swimming lessons, piano lessons, dancing and acrobatic lessons, even my own Santa Claus at Christmas time. Grandpa was the pied piper. He rounded up all the neighborhood kids and took us to McMinns for ice cream. It seemed like a lifetime with him, although he died when I was seven. My grandma had the beginnings of Alzheimer and I lived with and took care of her until I was 15. We had help from Aunt Peg and Uncle Dick though we didn’t live with them. She had to be put in a nursing home, and then I went to live with Aunt Peg and Uncle Dick, who later became my third set of parents. They were very good to me and treated me like their own, maybe more so. I always felt loved. I also had a sister, Lois, due to the adoption, as she was the biological child of Nana and Grandpa. She was very accepting of me and very special. Subsequently, I was married to Howe Atwater and had three wonderful children. After that I married Fred Steinman, so had two good marriages. You know all about my life during these years. How Lucky I was. Jane Oblender Steinman A friend shared the following in a letter to Jane dated July 19, 2011. Jane, I know I have thanked you over the years for “arranging” tennis matches for me (since 1982!) so so many times at your wonderful family’s Racquet Club West that provided me with “instant” tennis matches whenever I arrived for a visit in Lancaster county “The Motherland” (as Gill names it!) which I so so appreciated. But even more than that, it enabled me to form wonderful long lasting relationships with you, Ruthie, Alice Lynn, Bonnie N. the other Bonnie, Nicki (the good doubles player who then moved) Carol from Elizabethtown (now the Minister and her son is married to your grand daughter, Laura!) Bender! (I just thought of it) Linda Jarboe, your daughter, Charlotte, Leigh Ann, and so many many more. (Phyllis, Pam “Mac” – gosh, I could go on & on!!!) The other Thelma!!! My point is: my adult life has been sooo enriched by ALL of the wonderful, fun friendships I have made Thanks to you! Thank you, thank you for all that your kind, extroverted, inclusive personality showered on me – always making me feel sooo welcome all the fun hours we spent on the court, and the many fun times off the court. I feel as though I’ve watched “your family” grow up – Jane, I have told “tennis” friends (all over!) about my great admiration for you – how you were the “catalyst” for the success of RCW! You were “Mrs. Tennis!” You were the “social director.” You made everyone feel welcome! Thank you for touching my life in such a special way, in now 30 years of a very special friendship. A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be sent to: Children’s Miracle Network Penn State Hershey, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033.