Jane Gilmartin

ILION - Jane Catherine Collins Carter Gilmartin’s long and wonderful life came to a close on November 14, 2024, at Valley Health Services, in Herkimer, NY. Jane was born in Frankfort, NY, on January 15, 1928, to Thomas “Harry” Collins and Ellen “Nell” Collins (nee Eiffe), who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her brother, James Francis “Jim” Collins and his wife, Jane (Thomas), her brother, Thomas Raymond “Rady” Collins and his wife, Shirley (Riley); her sister, Mary Agnes “Honey” Cafaro and her husband, Stanley “Stan”, her sister, Mary Anne Dikeman and her husband, Eugene “Gene”, her sister, Patricia Collins, of the Sisters of Mercy; and her brother, Harold “Haroldy Boy” Collins who sadly passed away during a diphtheria epidemic as a young boy.

Jane attended Frankfort public schools where she was a member of the marching band and also worked as a lifeguard at the Frankfort Municipal pool. She attended St. Peter’s School of Nursing in Albany, NY, to become a Registered Nurse. Jane worked as an operating room nurse at French Hospital in New York City and also worked at the Ilion Hospital. In May 1951, she married Jack Henry Carter, of Ilion, NY. They returned to Ilion from NYC in 1953, where she volunteered as a nurse at multiple blood drives and raised five children with Jack. Jane was an active member of the Ilion community (PTA’s, Friends of the Ilion Library, Card Club) and the Church of the Annunciation. The Carter house was often full to bursting at Thanksgiving and Christmas, where Jane managed to feed 40-50 relatives at a time, although usually losing a fork or two or forgetting the rolls during the mayhem. She also enjoyed many family summer vacations to Piseco, Charlie, Champlain and Raquette Lakes and was the best canoer at all locations. Following Jack’s passing in February 2008, Jane married John Gilmartin, on May 27, 2012. This gave great joy to both their families in their love for each other. They enjoyed their life in Ilion and many summers at Brant Lake until John’s passing in May 2019.

Family was foremost for Jane and she always made sure that every child, (niece, nephew, grandchild and great-grandchild) was included in all play and activities. She taught them that anything was possible (except when they were playing Uno against Grandma, in which case they were going down.)

Jane is survived by her children, John (Susan) Carter, Timothy (Kathleen) Carter, Nancy (Bob) Manion, Mary (Walter) Toot and Matthew (Masako) Carter. She is also is survived by her grandchildren, Kate (Josh) Bugeya, M. Thomas (Mary) Manion, Chris (Christina) Toot, Daniel Toot, Shannon Toot, Maureen (Mike) Boullard, Meredith (Kevin) Kipke, Ellen (Jon) Carlson, Alexandra (Mark) Peters, Evanne Carter and Lisa Carter; and great-grandchildren, Alex Dihrberg, Race and Jack Bugeya, Mac, Beatrice, Bobby and Tommy Manion, Carter, Colin and Cameron Boullard, Henry and Wyatt Peters, Madeline and Emma Carlson, Margot, and June and Henry Kipke. On the Gilmartin side, Jane is survived by John’s children, John (Stacey) Gilmartin, Mary Musumeci, James (Colin) Gilmartin and Margaret Kingsley and all of their children; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Nancy and Bob Manion for their unstinting care for Jane during her stay at Valley Health Services and to the wonderful, loving care, provided by the staff at VHS.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY.

Jane’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of the Annunciation, West St., Ilion, NY, with Father Paul Catena, Pastor, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity, or the Church of the Annunciation, 109 West St., Ilion, NY 13357, the Ilion Free Public Library, 78 West St., Ilion, NY 13357, or the Ilion Ambulance Fund, 1 Central Ave., Ilion, NY 13357. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Jane, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet.

Jane’s Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to her Family Funeral Director, Don Applegate, of the Applegate-Day & Enea Family funeral home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY (315-895-7722).