Stories
Heart from the
SP O NSO R ED R E P O RT
Jane Kugelman Keeping the legacy alive
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t is only fitting that Jane Sabel Kugelman be described as matriarch of the Kugelman Family. Her life revolves around loving her children and family, spending time with close friends — and, of course, giving. Today, she helps carry on the legacy of her late husband Jack Kugelman, who took over his family’s foundation and devoted his efforts to giving back to local community causes. Jane is Chairperson and President of The Kugelman Family Foundation. Her granddaughter Jane Lauter, who serves on the Family Foundation board, says, “When we sit down (at Foundation meetings), she takes charge. She is Jack’s voice. She has very firm beliefs and she makes sure we all understand. She will say, ‘This is what was important to your papa and me.’ ” Their story began in 1946 when Jane met Jack after she and her only sibling, Marcia, returned from attending the University of Alabama. Jack had recently returned from serving in the Pacific during WWII. She says, “Jack went to Dartmouth College. Oh, he was brilliant. I think that’s why I fell in love with him.” Following a two-month courtship, Jack proposed and they were married at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Pensacola became home in order for Jack to run the family business. They lived at his grandmother’s house — called Beachhaven — in Warrington. Jane describes it as a time of wonderful memories. They later moved to North Hill and finally to East Hill, where Jane still resides. Her family speaks with great fondness of Jane’s zest for life and laughter and friends — and her indomitable spirit. She survived cancer, not once but three times, and underwent six operations on her hip. She and Jack had four daughters: Marcy Kugelman, Janet Livingston, Nancy McSweeney and Jackie Kugelman. Marcy and Janet were born at the original Sacred Heart Hospital on Twelfth Avenue. Jane is quick to say, “Jack was the best father in the world.” Today the family includes eight
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grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. As a philanthropist, Jack Kugelman was a great believer in higher education and technology, which the Family Foundation continues to support. He would ask, “Where is the most need?” Jane said that he wanted to give to community resources that would “help a vast array of people be better off,” and he always gave where kids were concerned. “Our foundation gifted The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart with its first children’s ambulance.” The Kugelman Family Foundation contributed significantly to the new Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, which began construction in December 2016. “I want our family to be a part of the future of Sacred Heart,” Jane says. “If you’ve led a fulfilled life and you’re fortunate, you give to someone else. I think that’s what our family through the work of our foundation is about — growing things in our community and making a positive impact.” This children’s hospital will have a positive impact on the lives of many children and their families across our region for many years to come.”
2016–January 2017 EMERALDCOASTMAGA ZINE.COM SApril–May ACRED 86 HEART FOUN DATIO N | FOUNDATION.SACRED-HEART.ORG 2016December EMERALDCOASTMAGA ZINE.COM
“If you’ve led a fulfilled life and you’re fortunate, you give to someone else.”
– JANE KUGELMAN