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Home Page : News:
In Remembrance:    

Last Updated November 11, 2009


In Remembrance of 
Jane Mullins


Jane was a woman who was beautiful internally, and externally. She was my role model of the vibrant older woman I would hope to emulate. She was filled with integrity, and joy of life; she was open minded, hip, undaunted in dealing with difficult health issues, magnanimous, fun, loyal, funny, affectionate, available. Janie continued throughout her life to evolve intellectually and spiritually. She was a great friend to both my parents, my sisters and myself. She shared some harrowing experiences with our family; adolescence, early womanhood for us girls, a crop dusting venture in Texas, Air America in Laos, the death of our father, widowhood for our mother. She was a witness, advisor, confidant to my sister Susan and me through bad choices of loves, heartbreaks, bruised egos, divorce. There was memorable road trip that Jane and I shared when we were driving her new Thunderbird from Michigan to College Station, Texas; home of Texas A & M, where we were to prepare the ranch house on a property we would be leasing for the crop dusting business that Jim Voyles, Jane's husband at the time, my father Joe Cheney, and another pilot Lee Mullins were putting developing. Lee would later become Jane's husband, and the love of her life. I remember one afternoon we returned to the house after running errands to find a charming, taller Prince Rainier-look- alike walking toward our car. Later on he said that his immediate impression was the younger of the two women was a sexy little thing, and nick named me "Slinky" and the other woman he thought walked like a duck, and looked like a young boy. Who would know that in a short time he was to fall madly in love with that precious "duck" Jane.

There were lively, fun, and adventurous times in Bangkok with our family, and tragedy too when my father's plane was shot down. Jane was there as a wonderful support for our mother and us. She stayed with my mother Bertha, and my sisters Susan and Jenifer for a time after they returned to the states. Bertha and Jane were fast friends for many years who shared secrets, joy, and pain. They loved each other dearly. Susan, and Jenifer, and I loved Jane as well. We will greatly miss her.

Claudia Cheney-Cook


I also have Deep - Warm memories of Janie. Just after Jim Voyles and I arrived in Laos in March of 1962, I noted to him my "wife of the time" was arriving soon. He suggested I stop by to see Janie on Soi Ton Son in Bangkok. I did - there was another apartment available - I rented it - and started a platonic - but very deep Love with her. We commiserated each other during sad times - with Janie most definitely being the strongest - we laughed together and seemed to agree on most every subject that ever came up. There is for sure, a small part of me missing now that she has gone - Good By Janie / I Love You / I'll Miss You

E.G. Adams


JANE MULLINS passed away Tuesday October 6, at her home in Castroville, Texas. Jane was a long time member and supporter of our Air America Family, she was the General Secretary of our association for many years. She was instrumental in bringing us out of the financial doldrums and putting us in the strong financial position we enjoy today. Jane, was also an avid supporter of the The History of Aviation Collection, located at the University of Texas at Dallas, which houses our Air America Archives, where she was a member of the Advisory Board of Directors, representing us.

I first met Jane, at the reunion at Whidbey Island, in 1991. She asked me to help her obtain a liquor license for that reunion. From that moment on we ran the reunions, with the help of resident members of the subsequent reunions. She would go in advance to scout out a hotel and bring back a contract, which we go over and finalize. She would always tell me it needed a man to do the talking, as I look back on it, I think she was just trying to make me more important than I was. She could have done it easily by herself.

Jane, was so helpful all through the time I was President of the Association, and after. I am sure that none of these things are unique to me, many of you have had similar experiences with her. Jane, will be sadly missed by all of us.

We are in the planning stages of holding a celebration of her life in Raleigh, at our reunion, on Friday night.

Brian Johnson
 

 

 

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