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Obituary
Jane Margaret Camilli, 74, of New Boston, Michigan, died peacefully in her home on January 31, 2023, surrounded by an abundance of love and dignity.
Jane was born on July 31, 1948, to Edward and Clara (Joblinski) Ryznar in Wayne, Michigan. After graduating from Romulus High School, in 1966, she went on to the Carnegie Institute in Detroit to study medical assisting, graduating in 1967 and going on to work in the medical services and management field.
She began her career when a local chiropractor, Dr. Richard Lutz, took a chance to hire her. That chance turned into a beautiful friendship that lasted for 46 years. After he retired, Jane continued working until last fall, never really officially retiring, and carved a career that lasted the better part of 55 years. She defined what it meant to be a hard-working, dedicated, and trusted employee while mentoring and creating lasting relationships and friendships with many of her co-workers.
She met the love of her life, Richard Camilli, at Daly’s in Westland in 1968 and they married on July 9, 1971. Janie, as her husband called her, took a chance on a stranger and found a love that lasted for 55 years. Together, they could often be found cruising around town in fast cars, doing yard work, or enjoying dinner on Sundays at their daughter’s house - everyone knew she never liked to cook.
Jane was an accomplished gardener and loved yard work. You could, more often than not, find her working in her yard (and sometimes in other people’s yards) mowing the lawn, or running to the greenhouse to add to her collection of potted plants in the summer. She also enjoyed traveling and was able to visit Italy twice and returned to her ancestral roots in Poland. She was most happy being with family, whether that was attending family get-togethers, taking in a broadway show - her favorite was Jersey Boys - or catching an early dinner with her husband.
She cared deeply for her friends and family, often extending her kindness and generosity to others. Over her lifetime, she made many, many cherished and lasting friendships and connections. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, she always welcomed you with open arms.
In August 2020, Jane was diagnosed with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and began aggressive treatments to try and shrink the cancer in the hopes to extend her life. Her determination to keep fighting led her to join a clinical trial in October last year at the University of Michigan, becoming the first mesothelioma patient at U-M to enroll. After several treatments, the cancer continued to advance and in December, she made the very brave and courageous decision to accept whatever time she had left with grace, love, and faith. Her final weeks and days were spent visiting with family and friends who wrapped her in the most amazing amount of love and comfort.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 52 years Richard, daughter Christina (Scott) Whisenhunt of Belleville; son Timothy Camilli of New Boston; and two grandchildren: Evan and Reese Whisenhunt. She is forever loved by her surviving sister Dolores (Ron) Green, brother-in-law Bob Robson, her brother Ray (Barb) Ryznar, identical twin sister Joyce (Walt) Kilanski, many wonderful nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. She joins her parents, sister Arlene Robson, in-laws Richard and Julia Camilli, and sister-in-law Valerie Camilli in eternal rest.
The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the countless family and friends who showered her with love, strength, and support during her life and courageous cancer journey. They also would like to thank ProMedica Hospice for all of their care and comfort.
Jane was a valiant fighter and in lieu of flowers, her family requests donations that will flourish in her honor to find a cure for mesothelioma. Donations can be made to the University of Michigan Thoracic Surgery Cancer Biology Lab https://victors.us/janecamilli or the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation https://curemeso.salsalabs.org/tributepages/p/inmemoryofjanecamilli/index.html
