Jane M. Balayti Born: Dec. 24, 1938 Died : December 5, 202

Jane M. Balayti 82, of Dixon, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Liberty Court Assisted Living  & Memory Care in Dixon. Jane was born October 24, 1938, in Dixon, the daughter of Owen "Bruce" and Helen (Eller) Whites. She graduated from Dixon High School in 1956. She often talked about the Loveland School in Swissville, which she attended in her early elementary years. After graduation she attended Northern Illinois University. She then worked at the Dixon Telephone Company where she met and married Maurice Reed. This union produced three children, Lisa, Scott, and Diane. Maurice and Jane divorced and as a single mother, Jane went to work for Stouffers Implement Company. She then went on to work for the Dixon State School as an activities coordinator for 17 years. Jane married George Balayti on Nov. 8, 1969, in Dixon. The dinning room table expanded to include five more hungary mouths. She now became the stepmother to George's four children, Richard, Anthony, Katherine and Gina. Jane loved to sew and became an excellent sewing seamstress. As people heard about her skills, she developed a following for alterations and sewing services. She had a passion for reading, especially for mysteries, and belonged to many book clubs over the years. During the years her children where growing up, Jane being a horse and dog lover - encouraged her children to love animals as much as she did. She was involved in her children's 4-H projects and they showed their horses at the 4-H fair for a number of years with her support. Jane carried on the family traditions of serving Ouster Stew on Christmas Eve. She also played the piano mostly, for her own enjoyment, but struggling though accompanying the singing of Christmas Carols. Jane was a strong willed women in many ways. After the tragic death of her step-daughter-in-law, she opened her home to her three step-granddaughters. Jane was so grateful for the help of the Lee County Red Cross that she joined the Red Cross Chapter, and served that organization for many years. Jane and George adopted their grand-daughter, Natasha and raised her as their own. She opened her home to family and friends, and would organize many birthday parties, family holidays and friend gatherings. Jane is survived by eight children, Lisa (James) Graszer of Oregon, IL, Scott Reed, of Arizona, Diana Reed of Arizona, Richard Balayti of Mr. Morris, Anthony Balayti of Elena, Katherine Briggs of St. Louis, Gina Balayti of St. Louis and Natash Balayti of Arizona; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous stepgrand-children. Jane was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George Richard Balayti;  brother Jim Whites and sister Corene Kurtis.