TOPSFIELD - Mrs. Jane Ellen (Belliveau) Driscoll, 72, of Topsfield, died unexpectedly, December 16, 2019 following a motor vehicle accident. Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Jeannette (MacDonald) Belliveau. She was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of Sacred Heart Grammar School, St. Mary's Girls High School and continued her education at Boston College, earning her Bachelors Degree in Special Education. Mrs. Driscoll continued her education at Smith College, earning her Masters Degree in Education of the Deaf in the 1970's.

Jane committed her life to helping children. She was a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing focusing on listening and spoken language development. Jane's life work was helping families and students reach their desired potential. She taught children with hearing loss at an Eastern Massachusetts school before she started SoundWorks for Children, which provided support for students who are deaf and hard of hearing in their community schools. She had a wonderful staff of teachers throughout the years, including her two sisters, Joan and Judy, as well as her daughter Katelyn. Her care and compassion motivated others to understand the possibilities of the children she served. Jane devoted her life to helping her students and their families achieve and succeed.

She was passionate, caring, and steadfast with a huge heart and the utmost professionalism. Jane was a blessing to everyone she worked with because of her hard-fought effort and dedication. She positively impacted the lives of thousands of students with hearing loss. Jane lived her life for the betterment of others. Her astounding impact and legacy upon so many lives proves that.

Jane was as strong and determined as she was passionate about her profession. She was a dual cancer survivor and defied all odds of survival. While beating ovarian and kidney cancer, she realized that time was precious. She relished moments spent with her grandchildren, family, and friends and had true gratitude for overcoming life's hurdles. She was always looking forward to the next trip and making new memories with the people she loved. Even in times of adversity, Jane conducted herself with immense class, dignity and always with love in her heart. Her daughters and granddaughters could not have asked for a better role model.

Jane is survived by her two daughters, Amy Werstak and her husband, Robert of Winthrop and Katelyn Spalding and her husband, Andrew of Cumberland Foreside, Maine, her granddaughters, Macy and Eleanor, her sisters, Judy McCarthy of Newburyport and Joan Crawford and her husband, Robert of Ipswich, her nieces and nephews, Amanda Jackson and her husband, Ned, Adam Crawford and his wife, Cara, Lindsay McCarthy and her husband, Jeremy Fehrs, and Meredith Parsons, as well as many lifelong dear friends, including Terri and Eddie O'Donnell and Rosalie Dougherty.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held in the Congregational Church of Topsfield, East Common St., Topsfield, Monday, Dec. 23rd at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield. Visiting hours in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers, Sunday, Dec. 22nd from 5:30 to 8:30 P.M. Donations in Jane's memory may be made to the Partners for a Greater Voice, www.greatervoice.com or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, Tn, 38105. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonellfuneralservice.com