Jane Taylor Hedges, 64, of Urbana, passed away at 7:10 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Carle Foundation Hospital.

Jane was born June 12, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas to parents Howard and Josephine (Taylor) Hedges. They preceded her in death. She married Mark Steinberg on August 10, 1980 in San Francisco; he survives. Jane is also survived by her son, Sasha Hedges Steinberg, of Brooklyn, New York.

Though born in Kansas, Jane grew up in Palo Alto, California. After receiving a BA from Occidental College and a Masters degree from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, she worked as a scholarly editor for many academic book publishers, most recently Yale University Press. From 1996 until her recent retirement, in the midst of her ongoing struggle with cancer, she worked for the University of Illinois as Managing Editor for the interdisciplinary journal Slavic Review.

Not only was Jane an exceptional editor, she had a thirst for knowledge and new experiences. She and Mark, often with Sasha, frequently travelled abroad and even lived for extended periods in Russia and Germany. Jane had a great love of the arts and frequently attended performances and exhibitions in Champaign-Urbana, Chicago, and New York City. She loved baroque classical music, especially Johann Sebastian Bach. She was a great walker, voracious reader, and prolific quilt maker.

Jane was active as a mentor in the Champaign-Urbana One-to-One Mentoring Program, which also provides scholarships for lower-income pre-college students. She also volunteered as a mentor with the University's Illinois Promise Program, which also helps underprivileged students.

Because of Jane's involvement in these academic advancement programs, her family asks that any memorial contributions be made to either program: Champaign-Urbana One-to-One Mentoring Program at cu1to1.org/donate or Illinois Promise at giving.illinois.edu/. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.