D. Birnn

Dorothea Jane Birnn, nee Mauger, died peacefully at Parker Home Monday evening, May 1. She was 92. Born in Malvern Pennsylvania in 1924 to Elizabeth (Bess) and Frank Mauger, Jane graduated from Berwyn High School in 1942. For many years she commuted to Philadelphia for piano lessons which led her to gain entrance to the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where she studied with Catherine Crozier. During her stay in Rochester she met her future husband, Edward Birnn, a cellist for the Rochester Symphony. They were married in 1946 in Paoli, PA. Subsequently she attended Cleveland Institute of Music where she created the Organ Department which is still a key part of the Institute. In 1949 Ed and Jane moved to Highland Park, NJ where they raised their three children: Jeff, Andrea and Bill. In 1965 the family moved to South River and in 1999 Ed and Jane moved to Rossmoor in Jamesburg. Jane spent her final 6 years very comfortably at the Parker Home in Piscataway.

For over 50 years she was a private piano instructor and for 40 years she was the organist and choir director at Spotswood Reformed Church.

Jane was predeceased by her husband Edward and is survived by her three children; Jeff Birnn and his wife Jane, Andrea and her husband John Cunnell, and Bill Birnn and his wife Janet; three grandchildren; Charles Cunnell and his wife Melissa, Julia Birnn and her husband Mel Fields, and Philip Cunnell; and her two brothers Allan and Gene Mauger.

Until her final hours she remained a woman of strong faith and cheerful disposition. She was devoted to her family, friends and music. May she rest in peace.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 5 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane's memory may be made to the Christ Church Music Fund at the above address, or Stein Hospice, 49 Veronica Avenue, Suite 206, Somerset NJ 08873.

Memorial Service

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of D. Birnn, please visit our floral store.