Article written by Karen Lyddane
From a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania, Jane Diehl shared her youth with six siblings. She was next to the youngest-the oldest is a youthful 95 years old at the writing of this article. Jane went to Washington, D.C. 11 days after graduation from High School, because a sister was living there and wanted to share a great opportunity. The young Jane was inspired to pass the Civil Service test and was offered a job right on the spot! She was 17 years old, hadn’t ventured from her beginning, and was scared to death. Although Jane didn’t want to leave home, her sister and a friend persuaded her to step into the job “as she could always quit.”
Of great comfort was the ease of going home on the weekends.
In high school days, Jane had a lot of friends but would never claim that she was popular. So, imagine how surprised she was when her classmates voted her to be their Prom Queen in 1960! This was in her senior year.
Arriving in Washington, DC in June of 1960 Jane moved in with her sister and two friends in an apartment in SE Washington, DC. A year later she moved to Arlington, living there until moving to her current home at The Woodlands Retirement Community. Jane was not one to move around a lot. All during this time, Jane had a government career. She was at the Department of Agriculture for 29 years, where she regularly met and worked with political appointees. This was a fascinating time for Jane and it was there a friend introduced her to USDA Assistant Secretary, Wilmer “Vinegar Bend” Mizell, who was seeking an assistant for his new presidential appointment by his friend George W. Bush, as Executive Director, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS). Mr. Mizell was a politician and former professional baseball player. He served three terms as a member of Congress from North Carolina and known outside his political career as a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher for the original Mets, the St. Louis Cardinals and finally with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he played in their 1960 World Series Championship. Jane was sure that she would stay in her current job but gave in to some convincing talk and accepted a lunch invitation with him. That was it. She just couldn’t say no! He won her over, she accepted the position, and they became best friends. She remembers him for being “a true Christian.” The PCPFS is a Federal advisory committee made up of well-known sports and fitness personalities, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Chairman while Jane worked there. He visited all 50 states promoting the physical fitness program.
After 2 years at PCPFS, Mr. Mizell accepted a new appointment – Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jane went with him and finished her government career as Program Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Her office windows overlooked Lafayette Park and the north side of the White House. On 9/11, Jane was in her office when the plane hit the Pentagon. Although she didn’t see the actual impact, Jane saw the building instantly turn into a raging inferno. She exited the building and not wanting to ride the subway, walked through Georgetown, over Key Bridge, then up Lee Highway to her Arlington residence. Jane will always remember the weird sky-it was so quiet. Right then and there, she decided it was time to think about retirement and leaving the city.
Jane retired in January following the terrorist incident. It wasn’t the way she wanted to end her career, but she is convinced that it turned out to be the best thing. Today, she is 23 years retired after a 42-year government career.
Adventures in life revolved around being a “beach person” and traveling to islands. She enjoyed sailing trips with friends and found she didn’t like sailing at night and preferred staying on top with whoever was on watch.
After many years of living in a condominium, a fall resulted in surgery. Jane realized it was time to think about a more carefree living environment, where she could enjoy living independently with low or no maintenance. She wanted to feel safe and secure, have nutritious meals and the opportunity to meet new friends. Her favorite thing at The Woodlands Retirement Community is the welcoming invitations of her neighbors to join them for dinner. Not only does she enjoy good food with her neighbors, but also the great opportunity to become acquainted and have new friends. Her move to the Woodlands Retirement Community provides all the above and more, making for her stress-free life.
