Jane Marie Keith, 98 of Kingston, formerly of Duxbury, passed away at Wingate Skilled Care on January 13, 2022 after a long journey with dementia. She was born to Joseph and Giovanni (Favaloro) Saltamacchia of Jamaica Plain on July 17, 1923.

Jane grew up serving customers at her father's fruit store, Favaloro, Saltamacchia and Company, on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, standing on an orange crate. She graduated from the Blessed Sacrament School and continued to work with her father until her brother returned from fighting in WWII. Finally, she was able to pursue her passion for fashion and became a top sales associate in the Women's Better Dresses department at Filene's specialty store in Boston.

Jane met the love of her life on a frosty January night in 1958. Her sister Mary had invited her to stay the weekend in Scituate and a neighbor invited them over to watch some Alaskan home movies shot by his Marine buddy, Sam Keith (who would later write the award winning Alaska classic One Man's Wilderness ). Keith would later recall in his memoir First Wilderness , Jane was "a broad-smiling brunette who radiated warmth and interest in me and my adventures." He added, "At last, the right woman, one worth waiting for. Jane was the force that lured me away from the North, the catalyst that brought the pieces all together." They were married on May 11, 1958 and lived in Duxbury until retiring to Anderson, South Carolina in 1984.

Jane was a charming, meticulous homemaker who took pride in all she did. She was an exceptional baker who delighted friends and family with her mouthwatering apple pies, bundt cakes, and biscotti. She adored polkas, Lawrence Welk, Alfred Hitchcock movies, and an occasional pina colada. She did not suffer fools gladly.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, and five siblings: Josephine Ciachelia, Felix Saltamacchia, Mary C. Pope, Thomas Saltamacchia and Eleanor Enright. She is survived by her only child, Laurel Keith Lies and her son in-law Brian of Duxbury, granddaughter Madeline Keith Lies of Brookline, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Jane's family would like to thank the exceptional nurses and staff at Wingate at Silver Lake for their many years of compassionate care. A private burial in Mayflower Cemetery will be held later this spring.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth MA 02360.

For online guest book and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com