Jane B. (Wise) Shear, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on August 11, 2026 at Gutherie Hospital.

She was the daughter of Etta and Irving Wise and a Broome County resident since 1960. She is survived by her beloved family; her husband Dennis Leipold, her sister Alice Marshall (Fran Brune), John Shear (Lynette), Jeff Shear (Leila Chawkat), her sons John and Jeff, and her grandchildren Shayne Potter, Madison Shear and Alana Shear.

A native of NYC, Jane came to Binghamton to attend what was then called Harpur College. She graduated from Harpur in 1964 with a BA in French Literature, having spent her Junior Year Abroad in Grenoble, France.

In 1964 she began her long teaching career in Maine-Endwell, followed by Chenango Forks, Whitney Point, Hillel Academy, the Susquehanna School and Windsor, teaching French. In addition, she was an adjunct lecturer and on-site supervisor for many years for Binghamton University as part of the MS of Education program.

She also received her MS of Education from Cortland University in 1974, inspired by Dr. Rodney Ketcham.

Throughout her life Jane loved music, particularly choral music. She was active in many choruses, and any choruses directed by Fitzroy Stewart, especially the University Chorus of BU. She was also an avid reader, letter writer, Facebook fan, gardener and tomboy.

Her love of traveling in N. America and Europe took her back to France dozens of times through the years, often accompanied by groups of students. Jane loved people and is survived by countless friends here and abroad. Jane’s greatest wish was to be remembered fondly by her family, and thousands of students.

A lifelong believer in tolerance and compassion, Jane requested that memorial contributions be made in her name to any organization whose goal is to increase understanding between people.

In accordance with her wishes, no religious ceremony will be performed. Interment will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 20 at Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton, NY. To send condolences, please visit www.demunn.com