Notice regarding Coronavirus...Read More

Plan Ahead

Risser, Jane H.

March 17, 2020 –
 February 20, 2013

Obituary

Jane Horton Risser died in her sleep early February 20, 2013.  She was born in Newark, NJ on March 17, 1920 to the late Ellis C. Horton and Augusta Berry Horton.  She moved many times throughout her life, beginning with a couple of moves in New Jersey then on to Cincinnati, OH and Chicago, IL.  After getting a college degree and doing an unpleasant one year stint teaching kindergarten, she was happily employed as a stewardess in the mid 1940’s for Pennsylvania Central Airlines and was based in Milwaukee, WI. It was there that she met Carl Risser while sharing a taxi. Although his opening line was a critique of her “ugly shoes”, they got past that and were married in June, 1948. Carl’s job with American Airlines meant her nomadic life continued as they moved to various cities in New York while starting their family.   In 1958, they moved to north Texas with their three children, moving first to Dallas then to 3 different houses in Irving. Carl died suddenly in 1967, leaving Jane to manage a household on her own after having been a housewife for the previous 19 years. She moved the family back to Dallas and registered in vocational nursing school. Because she had never learned to drive, she had to take the bus to classes in downtown Dallas. After getting her LVN license, and eventually her driver’s license, she began her 16 year career at Parkland Hospital, working in pediatrics until her retirement in 1984.  Subsequently, she kept children in her home for the next several years to supplement her retirement income. Eventually, she was able to retire completely and then began 10+ years of volunteering in the library at F.P. Caillet Elementary School. Some of her happiest moments were when she was in that library doing simple chores that helped the librarian tremendously and he became one of her closest friends.   Jane will be remembered for her sometimes bawdy, irreverent wit, her obstinacy, and her almost childlike ability to thoroughly enjoy the little things in life. Some of her greatest joy was found while listening to music, especially opera and classical. From girlhood, she was an avid fan of dance, particularly ballet.  WRR Radio was a constant companion in her home and she managed to make small donations to it while living on a very limited income.   She could sing or hum along with much that they played.  Saturdays frequently included radio performances of the Metropolitan Opera.   Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister and brother-in-law Carol & Brady Anthony.   She is survived by her daughter, Judy Williams & husband Keith; her son, Michael Risser & her younger daughter, Karen Risser.  Jane has two granddaughters, Rachel Wolf and Alana Sidener and 3 great grandchildren: Campbell and Will Sidener and Luke Wolf.  Also surviving Jane is her niece, Elinor Anthony Mazé, her husband Louis, of Waco, TX, and their daughters, Ghislaine and Angelica of San Francisco, CA.   The family wants to thank all the wonderful staff at The Gardens of Richardson for the care they provided for Jane over the last years.  Also thank you to the staff of Hospice Plus for the extra care they provided for the last couple of months. A celebration of her life is scheduled at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at ARIA Memorial Chapel at 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75252 with Rev. Jerry Hays officiating. If desired, please send donations to WRR Classical 101.1 FM at P.O. Box 159001 Dallas, TX 75315-9001, SPCA at http://www.spca.org/waystogive, Hospice Plus at 3100 McKinnon St. Suite 200, Dallas, Texas 75201 or to the charity of your choice.

    Susan Spiller Frindt
    22 Feb 2013
    9:23pm

    Remember the laughter. Remember the love.

    Gina R Williams
    22 Feb 2013
    10:11pm

    I will always remember her quick wit and zest for life. My heart-felt sympathies go out to each and everyone that loved her.

    May the sweet memories ease your hearts.

    Melinda Smith
    23 Feb 2013
    12:25am

    Jane is at peace, which we all can hope for. She had such a fun sense of humor, but got tired and needed peace!
    M~

    Lee Paez Barber
    23 Feb 2013
    7:10am

    Your dear Jane gave so much to others, especially children, over the years. May your many memories of the lovely person she was comfort you in your loss. Love, Lee

    Luke Barber
    23 Feb 2013
    7:36am

    Jane was one of a kind, which is a complement in this world with so many carbon copies. I send my condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.

    Luke Barber
    23 Feb 2013
    7:38am

    Jane was one of a kind, which is a complement given that this world has so many carbon copies. I send my sincere condolences to all in her family. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.

    Lori Doherty
    24 Feb 2013
    8:31am

    Karen and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your lovely mother. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Ralph Roberts
    24 Feb 2013
    12:37pm

    Jane volunteered in the F.P. Caillet library for 10 years. She like to shelve books on Friday afternoons. She would come anytime I needed extra help. She enjoyed looking at all the new books as they arrived. She was cheerful and full of humor. She and I both enjoyed out time at the library.

    Les and Karen Porter
    25 Feb 2013
    12:22pm

    We offer you our sympathy in the loss of your Mother. Jane was a good neighbor for many years. She and I used to walk every morning at 6 a.m. She was proud of her children.

    Carol Dumont
    25 Feb 2013
    1:34pm

    Always loved it when Jane came to see us at Park Forest Branch Library. She was always smiling and full of fun. My prayers are with you as you celebrate her beautiful life. May you be consoled by your many happy memories of time spent with such a wonderful woman.

    Wanda Smith
    26 Feb 2013
    8:16am

    The obituary made me smile. I remember the hours of Opera music at your house when we were kids, and Jane’s always funny sense of humor.

Leave A Condolence

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Testimonials

R. Driver
Read More
"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
Read More
"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
Read More
"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
Read More
"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
Read More
"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
Read More
"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
Read More
"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
Read More
"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
Previous
Next

Get In Touch

Locations

Immediate Attention

Contact Us

Preston Road

“George Bush at Preston”

Aria - Northwest Highway

“5 Miles East of Hillcrest Memorial Park / Lake Highlands”

Funeral Homes Irving Tx: Aria Cremation

“Belt Line Road at 183”

Fannin Memorial Gardens

Veterans Funeral Services

Darst Funeral Home

Search Obituaries

Search

Important Information

  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    214.340.8008

    BELTLINE ROAD
    972.607.4400

  2. Click here to Download the Cremation Forms.
  3. Have the cremation authorization form notarized
  4. Fax the forms back to us at:
    • NW Highway
      214-340-8009
    • Preston Rd.
      972-526-7410
    • Belt Line Rd.
      972-573-1008
 

Additional Information