Jane Cain passed away Friday, July 19, 2013. She suffered little, as it was a massive stroke that ended her life. She was 84.
Born February 28, 1929, in Eden, Texas, Martha Jane Fulcher was the fifth of Carroll and Tereecie Fulcher’s six children. Jane was raised by her mother and her older siblings after their dad died in 1935. Jane attended school in Concho County, Texas, and later in Elida, New Mexico. In 1946, she moved to what was then Hot Springs, New Mexico to live with her sister, Mildred Fryar, the home economics teacher at Hot Springs High School. The moved sealed Jane’s fate, as her next-door-neighbors were Doug and Lola Cain. Jane took a shine to the couple’s youngest son, Ben. She would later joke that she “chased Ben ‘til (her) tongue was hangin’ out.”
Ben and Jane married on February 2, 1949, in Elida, New Mexico. They spent their first few years of married life in remote northeastern Sierra County on the Buckhorn Ranch. In 1954, they moved to the Bar Cross Ranch south of Engle, where they raised children Steve, Judy and Cindy. The couple lived at the ranch until Ben’s death in 2007 following a long bout with cancer. Jane moved to her home in T or C some years later and enjoyed receiving guests there. Before she moved to town, she welcomed people passing by the ranch on their way to the construction of Spaceport America. She was always quick to offer visitors something to eat, as well as a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Jane took great pride in being a rancher and a rancher’s wife. For 58 years, her name was rarely mentioned by itself but rather as half of “Ben & Jane.” The couple spent all their time together working on the ranch alongside their kids. Ben and Jane were active in Cattle Growers and viewed the annual meetings as a change to reconnect with old friends. Before arthritis set in, the couple would also get away from the ranch on weekends to compete with friends and family in roping held in the area.
Jane also prided herself on the academic and athletic accomplishments of her grandchildren. When they were in grade school, her grandkids enjoyed spending summers at Grandma and Granddad’s, competing in rodeos for prize ribbons, wading in the canyon after big rains, swimming in the tank with Grandma, and modeling the clothes Grandma had sewn for them. If they pleaded long and hard enough, Jane’s grandkids could get her to “take (her) teeth out” for a good laugh. Jane always enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, as well as with her many treasured nieces and nephews.
Jane also enjoyed attending church, especially Engle Country Church, where for years she helped preacher Jack Cain lead the congregation in song. Jane also found fellowship in the frequent get-togethers she enjoyed with her “Antiques” group – friends who had gone to high school together back in the 40’s.
For those who knew Jane, her cooking is sure to be among the reasons they remember her. Jane would fix big meals of brisket and beans for the cowboys come shipping time, and none of her holiday spreads were complete without homemade monkey bread. In the lead-up to Christmas, Jane would ship up big batches of popcorn balls, divinity, and fudge. Her grandkids always got a kick out of the zany concoctions Jane would come up with in the kitchen, including her still-mysterious “hummingbird cake”.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Ben Cain, in 2007; son, Steve Cain in 1976; and grandsons, Cody Cain in 1976 and Greer Goetz in 2012.
Jane is survived by one sister, Annie Rogers of Austin, Texas; sisters-in-law, Elma Cain of Nara Visa, N.M. and Olga (Bill) Bristol of Nogales, Arizona; daughters, Judy (Phil) Wallin of Moriarty, N.M. and Cindy (Dudley) Goetz of T or C; daughters-in-law, Leta “Jake” Cain of Buckhorn, N.M.; many beloved nieces and nephews; granddaughters – Traci (Dave) Fresques, Stevye Lee (Mike) Stanley, Amanda (Curtis) Creighton, Bobbie Wallin, Charlcee Goetz, Katie Goetz, and Gina (Logan) Vanlandingham; and great grandchildren, Taylor, Cody Jo, Kaylee, Bentlee and Barrett.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at the Caballo Church with Rev. Jack Cain officiating. Jane’s family will be available to receive visitors at the church prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sierra County Cancer Assistance c/o P. O. Box 47, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. Arrangements are by Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc. & Sierra Crematory, LLC. 303 N. Cedar St. (TorC, NM) for online condolences, please visit,www.kirikosfamilyfuneralhome.com
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