Emma Jane Leipprandt Scandary, PhD
Lansing, Michigan.
Jane, as she was commonly known, was invited to her personal party in heaven by Christ on February 9, 2017, after 93 spectacular years on earth. Her peaceful passing was preceded by her husband of 60 years, Theodore John, who she now joins in His glory. Jane was born on September 12, 1923, to Leonard and Reva Leipprandt of Pigeon, Michigan. She is survived by her sons, John Scott, of Hendersonville, TN, and Robert Glenn, of Windsor, CO., and two grandchildren, both in CO.
Jane’s passion for life was expressed in both her personal and professional life. Beginning in 1941, her initial schooling and educational training as a Speech and Language Therapist and Teacher of the Deaf afforded her employment opportunities in Battle Creek, Hawaii, Detroit, Taylor, Wayne County, and for Waverly Schools.
A lifelong learner, Jane continued to pursue advanced degrees, all-the-while raising two young sons and being Ted’s true love and companion. She completed her M.Ed.(Wayne State), Ed.Specialist(MSU), and Ph.D.(MSU) by the end of 1968. She moved to Ingham Intermediate School District offices in 1961 as a Teacher Consultant, began Coordinator and Supervisor duties of teacher consulting programs there in 1968, and culminated her professional career as a State Hearing Officer and Consultant for the Michigan Department of Education in 1987.
During this time, Jane continued pursuits in the educational world as an Adjunct Professor at MSU, and gained notoriety and was sought out as a lecturer and speaker at educational conferences, forums, and symposiums in Iran, Israel, China, Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, Aruba, Canada, and a vast number of locations within the USA. She also contributed a number of publications related to exceptional children and teaching through 1986. Once leaving the Michigan Department of Education, she began collaboration and editing periodical publications to occupy some of her time while still providing consultative services to the MDE Special Education Unit.
Jane did, however, find some time to express herself in another passionate pursuit, that of the arts. Extensive reading and study of painting, print-making, and quilting occupied her until it was time to create a project. And boy-o-boy, what a prolific amount of these were produced! Her award winning painting and prints, in addition to an exhaustive number of gorgeous quilts, have earned her a place in the hearts of many.
Awards, tributes, and recognition for her expertise and dedication to special education followed her. In 1983-84, Jane was the recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children “Exceptional Service Award”, and recognized by both MSU and Head Start for her work with their respective special education programs. She received a Michigan State Senate Resolution for her services to the state’s children. Lastly, Jane was honored by the Michigan Department of Early Childhood Education with the establishment of the “Jane Scandary Award” for her outstanding professional contributions to the field of early childhood education. This award is presented each year to educational professionals that provide continuing support and services to the young children and their families in the State of Michigan.
A memorial service will be held at Estes-Leadley Funeral Home, 325 W. Washtenaw Street, Lansing, Friday, February 17, 2017, at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Jane Scandary Award” fund in the care of Michigan Division of Early Childhood Education, 240 S. Bridge Street, Suite 250, DeWitt, Michigan 48820.
