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Obituary
“She was a force.” Her family described her as confident and no nonsense; fierce and feisty; generous and steadfast; but also sassy. She threw herself into her community at all phases of life.
At college, Jane Serena Ellet studied English, pledged the Tri-Delta sorority and was an avid fan of University of Michigan football team. She met her future husband Bob Hukill at the University of Michigan. As a young Mom of four children at Chadds Ford Elementary School, she led the PTA, taught Sunday school and was active in scouting. Later, as a professional librarian, she developed a modest library in a small colonial farmhouse into a modern campus facility at Brandywine College. She earned a masters of library science at Villanova and retired as Director of the Delaware Campus Library of Widener University. Jane was involved with college accreditations through Middle States Association, served as a member of the American Library Association, the Delaware Library Association and Tri-State College Library Cooperative, and the Wilmington Institute Library Long Range Planning Committee.
As she entered mid-life, she embraced continual life learning programs beginning with Elderhostel and continuing with Washington College Academy of Life-Long Learning in both administrative and teaching capacities. In the late 1980’s, she studied emergent scholarly initiatives for addressing lifestyle desires and needs of seniors. She became a founding member of HomePorts in Chestertown and chaired the Heron Point board of directors. She also served on the Board of Peninsula United Methodist Homes (PUMH) and the ACTS Heron Point of Chestertown. She was active as both as a fundraiser, volunteer and board member with Chester River Health Foundation and the Chester River Health System.. She supported the Mainstay. Jane valued education and acts of giving back. She was a member of the Kent School Board of Trustees, Horizons, and Children’s Home Foundation. She was active with Christ Church IU vestry and was registrar of the parish. Jane received the Washington College President’s Award for her exemplary record of sustained and acknowledged contribution to the quality of life in Chestertown, Kent County and Washington College,
Jane loved her life in Kent County, Maryland where she settled with her husband Robert Peverley Hukill, Sr. after her children were grown. Together, they boated all over the Chesapeake Bay until he died in 1994--when she downsized to a smaller boat which she could handle singlehandedly. She transitioned from tennis to golf. Soon, she found ways to integrate golf into her charitable work and instigated the Pink Polar Bear tournament benefiting breast cancer. She was very proud of being the club women's 9-hole champion in 2008. In time, her four children married and had children of their own adding nine grandchildren to her family. In recent years, twelve great grandchildren have called her “GGMom.”
She is survived by daughters Peverley Hukill (Jon Spain) and Elizabeth “Bid” Hukill, and Timothy Hukill (Robin Law). Her son Robert P. Hukill Jr. predeceased her. Her grandchildren include Robert Peverley Hukill III “Robbie” (Bethany Morris) Taylor Behrends Hukill (Courtney Van Dyne), Katie Carlson Hukill, Sydney Frances Schreppler (Thomas Barter), Hayley Ellet Schreppler Peters (John Peters), John Joseph Schreppler (Cricket Slattery), Kerry Elizabeth Spain (Wade Rittler), Jon Buchanan Spain, and Carly Elizabeth Weeks (Jonathan Thomas). Her great grandchildren are Robert Peverley Hukill IV, Graham Morris Hukill, John Joseph Schreppler “Jack” IV, Jane Ellet Schreppler, Bee Faix Schreppler, Peverley Ellet Peters “Peppy,” Russell Ellet Peters, Otis Sydney Barter, Phoebe Frances Barter, Cameron Lane Hukill, Palmer Rae Hukill and Ocke Behrends Hukill.
Throughout her life, Jane had an affable dog by her side. She was in her element amidst the happy chaos of generations of family assembling at her home on Still Pond for holidays and extended weekends. Guests often brought their own dogs, friends and favorite recipes to the music and merriment. She loved to laugh--frequently prefacing her story with “it was hilarious.” Her dock always had small flotilla tied to it during the summer; and her driveway was filled with a myriad of vehicles. She was adamant that she would stay in her home until the end. She succeeded.
Memorial Service, Saturday May 30, 2026, 10:00am, 25328 Lambs Meadow Road, Worton MD
Reception immediately following service--Chester River Yacht and Country Club, 7738 Quaker Neck Road, Chestertown MD
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