Jane Lenore Maxson

On November 19, 2022 Jane Lenore Maxson (nee Murdock), left this world after a roller coaster ride of health issues over the last few years. She was 71.

Jane is survived by her favorite brother and sister-in-law, Terry & Jill Murdock, of Santa Maria, California; her beloved nieces, Lisa Bridgewater and Julie Murdock, of Portland, Oregon; her son Erik Maxson, of whom she was exceptionally proud; her daughter-in-law and friend, Lainie Maxson; and her three cherished cats, Chloe, Cali and Zoe. She was preceded in death by her mom & dad, Martha and Allen Murdock. 

Jane was born on September 16, 1951 in Kremmling, Colorado. Her family soon moved to Durango and she graduated from Durango High School in 1969, alongside her lifelong friends Brenda Isgar, Judy Perino, and she was voted ‘Most Talented’ for her piano playing prowess. She went on to attend Concordia University, in Seward, Nebraska.

Jane married Gary Maxson and the two welcomed Erik in 1970.

Before retiring to Durango in 2005, Jane worked for Motorola for over 30 years. She started on the semiconductor wafer assembly line in Phoenix, Arizona and worked her way into Human Resources. From Phoenix she went to West Palm Beach, Florida and then became a Global Compensation Analyst based in Schaumburg, Illinois at Motorola World Headquarters.

After returning to Durango she worked for her high school friend State Sen. Jim Isgar during his last term in office alongside her dear friend Wanda Cason. She later followed in her father’s footsteps by working for the Southwestern Water Conservation District, and the Animas La Plata Project, where she played a pivotal role in the completion and opening of Lake Nighthorse, before officially retiring for the third time.

Jane was a talented musician, supporter of the arts, and she had a wonderful sense of humor. Growing up in southwestern Colorado nurtured her love of the wonders of nature and she was a lifelong Broncos fan, for better or worse.

Christmas, cats, candy, cigarettes, cowboys, casinos, classical music, and a cold Coors Light were some of her most favorite things in life.

A memorial service for Jane is scheduled for Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 2pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in Durango, where Jane was confirmed, and later played the organ as a young woman. The service will be immediately followed by a private family committal at Greenmount cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers please tell someone that you love how much they mean to you. If you can offer a new forever home to one of Jane’s cats, she would be eternally grateful. Please contact Hood Mortuary if you can rehome one or all of them.  If you wish, please also consider making a contribution to D-SNiP, Parker’s Animal Rescue or The La Plata Humane Society in Jane’s name.