Jane Shub — I feel like I’m helpful and I bring something good to the community.

by Jillian Keith, TNP, Marketing Coordinator

Few life events are as painful as the death of one’s partner. Grief can leave you feeling uncertain of how you will survive this overwhelming loss or rebuild your life, or even leave you questioning if you have the energy or desire to try.

For Volunteer of the Month, Jane Shub, reconnecting with her passion for art and volunteering with The Naples Players (TNP), “reignited my will to live and my joy in life.”

Jane Shub and her granddaughter dancing

When moving to Florida, Jane Shub was expecting to start her life anew. A former computer engineer on Wall Street, Jane was ready to live a slow and happy life with her husband upon arriving in Naples. “When my husband and I decided to buy a property down here in Florida, we were both sick and thought the weather would help us. Unfortunately, as soon as we bought property, my husband got worse. He had cancer. We tried chemo, surgery – everything. None of it helped, and he died.”

“I was here alone and depressed. One of my neighbors had an extra ticket to one of the shows at TNP, so I tagged along, and was shocked to hear that it was a volunteer organization. So I applied to volunteer in the scenic shop for decorating and painting, and I was accepted.”

Jane is no stranger to a paint brush – she says she’s always been an artist. After paying off her children’s college loans, she said goodbye to Wall Street and worked as an art teacher for over 15 years. “Art has always been my way of expressing myself. I used to have walls full of paintings of my grandchildren and places I’ve been and my life.”

Even now, diagnosed with two terminal illnesses and a failing kidney, Jane still finds painting (and her grandchildren) to be the most inspiring and enjoyable parts of her life.

Jane Shub self portrait

Volunteering at TNP has given Jane the opportunity to pick up her paintbrush without the limitations of wall space in her living room. “The atmosphere is the best you can find. Nobody works for a promotion. Nobody is trying to get over you inline. Everybody is helping each other. Everybody is friendly. And everybody is doing this because they love it. It’s absolutely wonderful. Being here and around these people helped me through my depression after my husband died and helped me to stop being so dependent on my close friends and family. This is my own space, my own life, my own community, and my own enjoyment. I can’t lift due to back problems, but everyone comes running to help me when I need it. I don’t feel like my back or limitations are a burden here.”

Painting trees in The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon and Into the Woods JR was just the beginning of Jane falling in love with the community here at TNP. “I love how Jason and Mike assign jobs that they think you will enjoy. They could definitely paint sets without me, but they see how joyful I am while doing it and actively make the decision to involve me. They are so caring and so wonderful – everyone in the staff are. During The Hunchback of Notre Dame, I painted a few pieces that were too large for the set. I understood why they couldn’t be used. It was a small space. But instead of discarding them, they used my paintings to decorate the lobby. They didn’t have to do that, but they wanted to lift my spirits, and I really appreciated that.”

Jane most recently worked on the massive murals displayed upon entering the set of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and the beautiful, festive winter scene displayed in the window onstage. “I was really excited because I was assigned this project just for me! It was my first-time painting pieces that large with acrylic paint – I normally specialize in oil paint. It was a lot of fun getting to learn something new, especially considering how long I’ve been doing art. I was so honored to get to do this for the community.”

A painting by Jane Shub of two of her granddaughters

For Jane, volunteering here at TNP has healed and changed her life in so many ways. “When I moved here, I was just expected to not be in as much pain because of the weather. Now, I feel like I’m helpful and like I bring something good in the community. I feel young and inspired. The people here are beautiful. Everyone smiles and greets you even if you don’t know their name. Everyone is welcoming and warm. Somehow, I keep meeting wonderful people in my life. I truly believe that the art I’m creating and the community I’ve made are keeping me alive. I want to live while I am alive. To do something, not just be. And here, I am doing that. I’m living for myself. I just want to see and paint for as many shows as I can before I go.”

Thank you, Jane, for your inspiring story of resilience, strength, and finding joy when happiness seems impossible. And, of course, for your time and beautiful paintings!

We love to get new volunteers into the mix! If you’re new to the area or just new to volunteering at TNP, don’t hesitate to join the fun.