In Memoriam
Jane Del Vecchio

Born in Pennsylvania, grew up in Virginia, moved to North Carolina in 1949, then to Atlanta in 1959 ... A graduate of the National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia, she worked 20 years in the insurance business. After arriving Atlanta she 1960-s enjoying family, traveling, and working with Italian Cultural Society...

In 1972 Jane Del Vecchio noticed that something was wrong with her voice. In April 1993 she had had her larygectomy. In March 1974 she joined Laryngectomee Planning Group Atlanta and became a full-fledged member. She suggested the name "Greater Atlanta Voice Masters" for the group and "Happy Talk" for the newsletter which she has writing for ten years.

She was elected and served on the several position in IAL. In 1992 she was elected Vice-president of the IAL and in 1994 President for a two-year term. In 1998 she was elected an Honorary Life Member of the IAL Board of Directors. She also holds this honor as a Honorary Life Member of the board of the Southeastern Division of the American Cancer Society.

Her first love was the GAVM where she was the editor of Happy Talk and administratior of the club's loan closet for speech devices. She also wrote and audited the IAL news for a decade.

Jane Del Vecchio won three times against the cancer, but She lost her fourth battle. She died from lung cancer in February 14th 2001. She used to say "Every day is a gift an it needed to count for something good." Jane Del Vecchio did a lot of good in her life. She brought a lot of hope for cancer survivors and smiles on their faces.