Jane Danner Critchfield
April 1, 1953 - March 7, 2026

JANE DANNER CRITCHFIELD

April 1, 1953 - March 7, 2026 (72 years old)

Born in Pittsburgh, PA to parents Charles Lee Critchfield and Ruth Jane Danner.

Jane grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and graduated from Peabody High School in 1971. She attended Baldwin Wallace College and (now) Chatham University she moved to Chicago, IL in 1972. After the birth to her first son, Aaron, the family relocated back to Pittsburgh in 1983. The family grew as she welcomed son Dylan in 1986.

Over the last 40 years, Jane had many roles: wife, mother, entrepreneur, Reiki Master, and family caregiver. Jane was a self-taught desktop publisher, and ran a business out of her home designing newsletters and direct mail for local businesses and organizations. Throughout her life, Jane had a strong interest in New Age spiritualities and alternative medicines. Jane studied and trained in reiki under Nancy Murray and achieved her Master level in 5 years. Jane was a socially and politically progressive humanist, and a great vocal supporter of women's rights, the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized groups. Jane loved the arts, music, good food, hosting parties, dinners and holidays, and spending time with her grandson.

Jane is survived by her husband, Jerome Sales, her two sons, Aaron Critchfield-Sales and Dylan Critchfield-Sales (Samantha Stern), and her grandson Luca Stern Sales, and her sister Margot Danner Critchfield. Jane is also survived by her best friend Susan and Steve Hawkins, and their four children, Becky, Abigail, Emily and Masha.

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 11 AM. Visitation one hour prior to service (10 AM - 11 AM). Interment Homewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name at:

WESA https://wyep.secureallegiance.com/wyep/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WESABUTTON&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=LPyPiNNj75Uo0fNqicOHvL1YhDw50SikSh2nq0qouhg%3d

PBS https://foundation.pbs.org/ways-to-give/

www.schugar.com

Condolences

Jerry, I Jerry, I am very sorry to hear that your wife has passed away. Please accept my sincere condolences as you go through this tough time.

SO sorry to hear of your loss. Holding space for you and your family.

Jerry, I was deeply sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. She was the best locker partner I ever had at Peabody High. What a lovely person. With my deepest sympathy, Honey Davidson Forman

I was a member of the Keystone Reiki practice in Pittsburgh along with Jane, Nancy Murray, Kathy Welsh, and Anne Gaudio back in the 90s… I was so very saddened to hear of Jane‘s passing. What an incredible loss to her family and the greater Pittsburgh community. My thoughts and prayers will be with Jane as she is welcomed into the next level of her soul’s journey. And my heart felt condolences to her family. With gratitude and appreciation for the incredible person that Jane is for she is not gone. She is only in the next room where we cannot see her. Blessings ~Marie Dolce

Dear Jerry and Margot - We are saddened to learn of Jane's death. We know that she was deeply loved by both of you. We are holding you both in the light. Stu and Mel

So sorry for your loss. May Jane's memory be a blessing

SO sorry to hear of your loss. Holding space for you and your family.