April 6, 2012

Dear Friends,

Jane Grey Torrey of Jesus Abbey in Taebaek, Kangwondo, Korea passed away peacefully at our home in Ellington, Connecticut on April 5th, 2012.  She was 91 years old. There will be a memorial service at the Church of the Risen Savior, 9 Ellington Ave. Rockville, CT at 5:30pm  on Monday, April 9th.  Her family will bring her ashes to Korea for a funeral at the Anglican Cathedral in Seoul on April 16th and burial beside her husband, Archer Torrey, at Jesus Abbey.

As you already know, my mother had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in October, 2011 while receiving nursing care at Cascades Verdae Senior Living Community in Greenville, South Carolina. Following unsuccessful chemo and radiation therapy, she was brought to Ellington so that her final days could be spent with her family.

Born on February 4th, 1921 in Davidson, North Carolina, Jane Grey grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charlotte Court House, Virginia.  Some of her fondest childhood memories are the years she spent with her grandmother, Frances Yancey Smith, in the home built by her grandfather, the beautiful antebellum home that she later inherited and named Smithaven.

She graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, NC in 1939 then went on to attend Queens College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art.  During her senior year, she was elected to be the May Queen with a large court.

Following graduation in 1943, Jane moved to Hartford, Connecticut to help the war effort drafting aircraft engines at Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford.  After six months, she felt that the war effort could spare her and she went to New York City where she spent—as she put it—the “most carefree time of my life” painting the Old Masters in the Metropolitan Museum of Art while staying with friends in New Jersey.

Returning to North Carolina, she taught school in Boone and had private art students in Charlotte.

Jane Grey was wedded to the Rev. Archer Torrey in Charlotte on August 28th, 1948.  This began a new venture for her that took her throughout the world.  Following a period of time as Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Father Torrey was invited to Korea to reestablish the Anglican Seminary that had been closed during the Korean War.  The Torreys, including their young son, Ben arrived in Korea on November 17th 1957, the land that became their home from then on.  After graduating the first class of students from St. Michael’s Seminary in 1964 and spending a sabbatical year in the United States, Jane, Archer, Ben and young daughter, Yancey, moved into the Taebaek Mountains, in Kangwon Province, along Korea’s east coast.  There, in 1965, they established the community of Jesus Abbey.  Fr. Archer Torrey passed away in Korea in 2002, at which time Jane, now referred to as Sister Jane, but more affectionately as Mother Jane or Grandmother Jane, continued to make the Abbey her home.  It was with deep regret that she had to leave unexpectedly for medical care in the US, only to realize she would never return to her beloved community and her adopted homeland.

The passing of Jane Grey Torrey leaves sadness in many hearts, but her family, community family, and close friends throughout the world remember her with joy as well as grief, and rejoice that she has been able to join her beloved husband Archer in the presence of the Lord.

Jane Torrey was mother to hundreds, if not thousands, throughout the world. She left beautiful and treasured art—much of which she gave away—hanging in homes on at least three continents. Her memory will live on in many hearts and minds.

Jane Torrey is survived by her son, Ben and his wife Liz who are members of Jesus Abbey, two daughters, Yancey and Deberniere and Deberniere's husband Nathan.  She is also survived by three grandchildren—Ben and Liz’s two sons, Reuben and Thomas, their wives, Rosaleen and Amanda, daughter, Joanna and her husband Geoff.  She also has four great-grand children and two more expected this year.

Before passing, she indicated that she would appreciate it if, in lieu of flowers, well wishers would send memorial contributions to The Fourth River Project, Inc. to help with realizing her and Archer’s dream of seeing the Three Seas Training Center become a reality.

In Christ,

Ben Torrey and Liz Torrey

(Memorial gifts may be made by check to The Fourth River Project, Inc. and mailed to PO Box 744, Vernon, CT 06066 or by PayPal at www.thefourthriver.org.  All gifts are tax deductible.)