Jane Simerl Rodeheffer

Jane Simerl Rodeheffer, 82, passed away January 15, 2025. Jane was born in Maryland on June 10, 1942, the first of four children. At that time, her father, Dr. L.E. Simerl, a US Army chemist, and mother Martha, a nutritionist, were stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. Jane grew up in many locations, graduating from North Haven High School in Connecticut in 1960.

After graduating Oberlin College in 1964 with a degree in French and Johns Hopkins University with a master's degree in teaching, Jane got a job in computer programming with UNIVAC in Baltimore in the fall of 1966. In her own words, she successfully argued that if she could teach people to talk to people, she could teach them to talk to a machine. For over two decades she worked as a pioneer in developing computer languages, creating some of the foundational infrastructure of the internet on various government projects. She was one of the first in her field, as a computer instructor, programmer and analyst. Her work included projects for Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin), Sperry Univac (now Unisys), Orange County Public Schools, and other government contracts. She was often the only woman on the team. After teaching computer programming at the college level, her career in the field ended in 1987 when a degree in computer science became a new prerequisite for the jobs she had been doing and instructing others in for decades.

Jane soon embarked on a second career in library science, obtaining a second master's degree in library and information science in 1992. She enjoyed several more decades as a librarian for Valencia College and the Orange County Public Library system, retiring in 2019. She loved to work the reference desk, which combined some of her favorite activities: meeting new people and learning new things. She was passionate about cooking, reading, bread-baking and sharing knowledge with others.

Jane was fiercely and fearlessly kind, creating family and community near and far. She never met a stranger. Married for 60 years to husband Jon after meeting at Oberlin, they navigated Jon's tour of duty in Vietnam and several years living in Germany before moving to Orlando in 1975 with two toddlers in tow. She showed her daughters how to successfully maintain a professional career along with a vibrant life at home and in the world. She was called mom and grandma by many, including several exchange students and others who became extended family through international exchange programs. In her later years she applied to the Peace Corps but the program for seniors did not happen. Instead she explored the world with Jon, traveling to Ecuador, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, China, and South Africa, to name but a few of their destinations. She was an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando and a volunteer in many community organizations ranging from Girl Scouts to community gardens.

Jane is survived by her husband, Jonathan (Jon) Rodeheffer; daughters Sarah Rodeheffer Iles (Shawn) and Emily Rodeheffer Nodine (Paul); grandchildren Isaac, Elliot, Nathaniel and Madeleine Iles; and three younger siblings and their families.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the caring and compassionate staff of The Mayflower in Winter Park, who cared for Jane in her final years.

A celebration of Jane's life will be held at a later date, where we will gather to share stories, laughter and love in her honor. In lieu of flowers, donations to charity are appreciated. Some suggested charities: