ROCKLAND — W. Jane Sternberg, 79, died July 26, 2016, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport following a brief illness.

Born in Orono on March 17, 1937, she was the daughter of Enoch and Cecilia Lounsbury. Jane attended parochial schools there and graduated from Orono High School, Class of 1955. That fall she began studies at Washington State Teachers College in Machias.

Jane married William Sternberg in Orono on Aug. 24, 1957. They made their first home in Deer Isle, where they resided until moving to Rockland in 1960. Jane devoted herself to being a mother, and throughout her entire life her greatest joy was her family. She later returned to school, working at the Region 8 Vocational School and St. George Elementary School as a teacher's aide while earning her bachelor's degree at the University of Maine in Orono. She graduated in 1985. She then worked for several years as a special education teacher at Thomaston Grammar School, retiring July 1, 2001, after nearly 20 years in education.

Jane still kept busy in retirement — she loved sewing and cooking, and had a special appreciation for linens. She also enjoyed antiquing, and owned and operated Parsonage Antiques. She was very active in the Knox County Retired Teachers Association, and volunteered much of her time tutoring. She also was a member of the Daughters of St. Bernard, and served faithfully in St. Bernard's soup kitchen.

She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her loving husband, William, in October of 2009; Jane is survived by her sons, David Sternberg of Thomaston, Daniel Sternberg and his wife, Emily, of Highland, Mich., and Timothy Sternberg and his wife, Miranda, of Owls Head; her daughters, Sue Guptill of Damariscotta, Mary Bassick and her husband, Paul, of Forestdale, Mass., Beth "BJ" Foster and her husband, Scott, of Gambrills, Md., and Ann Estabrook and her husband, Michael, of Waldoboro; two brothers, Merle Lounsbury and his wife, Anne, of Rangely and Joseph Lounsbury of Hampden; 15 grandchildren, John, Amy, Stacey, Jessica, Michael, Rebecca, Amanda, Benjamin, Katie, Eliza, Andrew, Emily, James, Billy and Danny; six great-grandchildren, Joseph, Mya, Percy, Jack, Samuel, and Abigail; several nieces and nephews; and all the other lives she has touched.

Family and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway in Rockland. The Rev. Dominic Azagbor will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics Maine, 125 John Roberts Rd #5, S Portland ME 04106, or to the Pope Memorial Animal Shelter at P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.