Name: Jane Alloway
Hometown: Dallas
Present City: Dallas
Education: Texas Tech University
Profession: Retail; store manager, Lord & Taylor; 30 years as district manager, Gap, Banana Republic and Victoria’s Secret
Tell us about your family.
My father and mother joined Wilshire in 1957. They had just moved to Dallas, and their pastor in Atlanta told them about Wilshire. They visited Wilshire and loved it. I was 2 with my twin brother John. My sister Paula still attends Sunday School. I have a son, Lindsey, who lives in Manhattan.
Any favorite hobbies?
I love music. I grew up playing my mother’s Steinway baby grand piano. I now know what a privilege that was. As an active youth member, I participated in the Youth Choir, including handbells. I love movies and travel.
What are your favorite places to travel?
I’m going to Manhattan for Christmas to visit my son, Lindsey. I also want to go back and travel more in Italy. I believe I could live there. I love the ocean and the beach. I find it very peaceful.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I grew up at Wilshire and was very active in the youth group. Pastor Bruce McIver baptized me. I was one of the first people baptized in the new Sanctuary. I came back to Wilshire in January 2001 and have been active since. I knew the Lord was calling me back to church because I felt I had lost Jane. I was a single mother and a district manager at work. Wilshire continues to be a very important part of my life.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I loved Companions in Christ. I have been a greeter and usher for 20 years. I served on the lay support team for Pastoral Resident Ann Bell Worley. I was the director of Concordia Class for a long time, and then Rick Hibbs took over.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I felt very close to God when I first got cancer, and then my cancer came back. I was so impressed with how many people reached out to me. Timothy called me several times through my treatments. The church support has been such a blessing. My class has been so loving throughout the process. The church support has been so uplifting to me. I don’t think that God is through with me yet.