Jane Dorrel died on April 19th, 2023, surrounded by her loving husband, Frank, her daughter, Emily, her beloved sister, Chrissy, and her brother-in-law, Peter.

Jane was born in Luxembourg on August 22nd, 1954 to Helen “Litzi” Wenneis Holmberg (later Barker) and Anton “Tony” Holmberg. Her sister, Chrissy, was three years old when Jane was born. She became Jane’s best friend for life. The family moved to Merrick, New York, in 1955. In 1963, they ventured across the Atlantic to Limerick, Ireland, where Tony ran, Shannon Repair Services, an airplane hanger. They lived in Ireland for three years before returning back to the States to live in Tucson, Arizona. When Jane was 17, she moved with Litzi and Tony to Irvine, California, where she went to University High School for her senior year. Chrissy stayed in Tucson, where she continued her studies at the University of Arizona. After graduating high school, Jane attended UC Santa Cruz, where she majored in Economics. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Jane pursued a Master's Degree in Urban Planning at Harvard. After earning her Master’s, Jane moved back to California and got a job with Coldwell Banker.

In 1982, Jane began going to the Unitarian Church in Santa Monica, where she met Frank. It was TRUE LOVE after their very first date. Some months later, they moved into a loft apartment in Venice. During that time, Jane got a new job at Trust Company of the West (TCW), where she later became a partner. In 1984, Jane and Frank bought a condo in Palms, close to Culver City. Frank asked Jane to marry him a number of times, but every time he asked Jane would respond, "What about children?" This happened 3 or 4 times before Frank finally said YES. They got married on August 21st, 1988, at the Marina Del Rey Hotel, where they were married by their dear friend Rev. Dan O’Neal.

Jane told Frank that Culver City had a very good school system. So in 1992, they bought a house in Culver City in the Blair Hills neighborhood. Two years later, their daughter, Emily, was born. This was the happiest moment in Jane and Frank's lives. Emily has been the love of their life ever since then. She went to El Marino Language School in Culver City, where she learned  Spanish, and then went on to Culver Middle School and Culver High School. When Emily was 8 years old, Jane suggested she try musical theater. Emily went on to do 13 musical plays with Dee-Lightful Productions and joined Culver City High School's Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.

Jane loved going to the movies. She loved watching Seinfeld and Jeopardy (which she was very good at) and doing crossword puzzles. She loved going out to nice restaurants with family and friends. She also hosted many dinners at the Dorrel home in Culver City. Jane was wonderful company. She was a great listener and always ensured that everyone felt seen and heard. She also had a great sense of humor and the most beautiful smile. 

Jane supported Emily in all of her many endeavors. She also supported Frank in his anti-war work. Over the years, they hosted well over 50 anti-war events at their home. They also hosted musical concerts at their home with groups such as Andy Manoff and his Band, The SUPERBROKE Brass Tin, String & Drum Marching Band Ensemble, Charley King & Karen Brandow, Dennis Davis, The Prince Myskins, Stephen Longfellow Fiske, KB Solomon, Ross Altman, Peter Dudar, Wil B and many other excellent musicians.

Jane loved her family. She loved her mom, Litzi, who passed in November 2021. She loved her dad, Tony, who passed months before Emily was born in 1994. She loved her sister, Chrissy, and brother-in-law, Peter. She loved Frank, aka Big Frank or Big Frankie.  She also loved Frank’s mom, Meta, and his brother, Jeffrey. She loved Emily's partner, Gavin, and Emily's many friends, including Amy, who lived with them for a time. And she loved their four Westies: Zachary and Wolfie (deceased) and Ozzy and Bernie. Jane loved her friends, far too many to name here. But most of all, she loved her daughter, Emily. 

Jane was Frank and Emily’s rock, their everything! She was beautiful inside and outside. And she was loved by pretty much everyone who knew her. We will never forget her.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/jane-dorrel/obituary/

Copy