Elisabeth Jane Constantino was a devoted mother, brilliant scholar, caring friend, and champion for the less privileged. Her love of the written word began at an early age when she attended a one-room schoolhouse where she read everything including the encyclopedia. Jane's affection for books developed a new urgency when she spent a year of her childhood bedridden with polio. Desperate to finish a book one night, she started a fire while lighting an oil lamp -- much to her parents' dismay.

Jane read widely: from the poetry of Ogden Nash to anything by Alexander McCall Smith; from Mother Jones magazine to the New York Times. Throughout her life, she read across genres, and continued to read until a few days before her death. Jane always said that reading transported her around the world, but it also rooted her. Early on, books laid a foundation for social justice and equity in education -- values that were central to Jane. It was one of her final wishes, in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation to Access Books, an organization that revitalizes underserved elementary school libraries that was founded by her daughter, Rebecca.

Jane's love of reading was a gift she shared with her children. Through Access Books, it is a gift she will continue to share with many more young readers from communities who need our help the most. All donations will help revitalize a library in her name.