Helen Jane Landon, 83, of Salisbury and formerly of Crisfield and Tangier Island, and after a life of service, died peacefully on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at the Village at Harbor Point in Salisbury.

She was born October 18, 1928 on Tangier land. Her father, Bradley Landon, a waterman, died on August 14, 1994. Her mother, Lorraine Crockett Landon, died August 9, 2001. The family moved to Crisfield when Jane was five years old, but had a Tangier home and always remained close to their island. Her parents had lovely voices and sang at local churches and tabernacles.

Jane graduated from The Church Home and Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore in 1949 and then began to work at the McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield. She attended Wheaton College in, IL and Columbia Bible College in, SC in preparation for the missions in Pakistan and went to Kentucky to qualify in emergency pulling and filling teeth. She was supported by her New Testament Congregation Church on Tangier. Jane worked in the Christian Women's Hospital in Multan for 11 years and earned her midwifery degree. When five people on Tangier Island contracted tuberculosis in 1969 the Mayor asked her to come back and supervise the State of Virginia's program to eradicate tuberculosis on the island. People Magazine's article about Jane "The Midwife on Tangier Island" appeared in the September 23, 1974 issue. Among the deliveries she attended on Tangier were Frankie Pruitt, now with Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield, and his sister, Tammy Pruitt Boyce, a school teacher in Pocomoke City.

Jane earned a MS Nursing from University of Maryland, an MS Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and was certified as a Nurse-Midwife by the American Midwifery Certification Board in June 1973. She was instrumental in starting the Nurse-Midwifery Service of OB/GYN and was its director for 21 years. The nurse-midwives provided prenatal care to women in Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Health Departments and the Private Women's Clinic. They attended their mothers in labor and delivery at PGH/PRMC with back-up from the OB/GYN physicians. She also studied German for several years at the Universtiy of Maryland Eastern Shore. When off duty Jane continued to care for the health of those on her beloved Tangier. The AJN (American Journal of Nursing) published an article entitled "Nursing on an Island" written by Jane in 1981. Jane returned to work in Pakistan on several of her annual vacations.

Johns Hopkins University honored Jane with their Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1979. The Wicomico County Commission for Women honored her with their Recognition Award for Outstanding Community Service in March 2000.

Jane's life touched many. She will be remembered as being dedicated to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for her service to others, and as a respected colleague to her friends here and abroad.

She is survived by her devoted, loving cousin, Gloria Howard, and her husband, Jimmie Lee Howard of Salisbury, who graduated from Crisfield High School with Jane, and several cousins and second cousins. Also surviving are her friends, including Edna Quinn of Portland, Maine, Joan Slorack of Salisbury, and Abe and Marolyn Minnich of Kingston.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call two hours prior. The Rev. Wesley Fader will officiate and will be assisted by Mr. William Eskridge. Interment will be in Sunnyridge Memorial Park.

Donations in her memory may be made to the New Testament Church Missionary Fund, Tangier Island, VA 23440.

To send condolences to the family please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com