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Jane Glenn Haas was a reporter and columnist at the Orange County Register for more than 20 years, a publicist for the Irvine Company, a book reviewer for Orange Coast magazine and a nationally syndicated columnist on aging and women's issues — and more. She died Wednesday after complications from a stroke.
From the Register's arts writer Paul Hodgins:
Jane Glenn Haas, an iconic columnist and reporter for the Orange County Register, wore many hats during her career: journalist, feminist, author, TV host, theater lover, inspiring public speaker and founder of WomanSage, an organization promoting the potential of women in midlife and beyond. But she will be remembered above all as a superachiever who never ran out of ideas or the enthusiasm to bring them to life....
"Jane was in charge of the Department of Aging for our paper. And she was a master at it. We learned so much as she charged headlong through her own productive life," said Ken Brusic, editor and senior vice president of the Register."We weighed the plusses and minuses of her middle-age facelift. We suffered through the painful, but rejuvenating, replacement of various worn-out body parts. She allowed us to see the joy of a grandchild's birth and the pain and loss of a son, husband and beloved aunt," Brusic added.
"It was a long, wonderful, joyful journey."
Martin J. Smith, the editor-in-chief of Orange Coast, said in a note that she was a wonderful and inspiring presence in Orange County for many years.
"She had many loyal readers, especially as she carved out a niche for herself writing about aging and health issues. She often chronicled her own medical adventures in a way that was never self-serving, and always informative. Those who know her — and I've known her since we were cubiclemates at the Register in the mid-1980s — understand that we've lost a rare soul and extraordinary journalist whose upbeat approach to life, even in the face of adversity, will inspire me for many years to come.
"We should all be lucky enough to age with her grace, work ethic, and commitment to making the world a better place."
Photo from the Register
