Tributes are pouring in for a well-known woman from Victoria who was murdered in Antigua.
Jane Finch is being remembered as a force of nature with a big heart.
“Jane was a force to be reckoned with,” says long-time Victoria friend Deb McIntyre Dagg. “She had a personality as flaming as her red hair.
Finch grew up in Victoria with her four siblings and still has many life-long friends here.
She started modelling as a child for Eaton’s with her sister, Joanne Finch.
“Then she got into theatre as a youth and she was absolutely stunning,” says Joanne, who lives in Cumberland. “She was often sought out by local artists as a model.”
Described as an “independent free spirit,” Jane’s family and friends say she was always laughing and smiling and was incredibly funny — entertaining people with her antics.
“You always knew when Jane was in the room,” says her eldest brother, John Finch, who lives in Victoria. “She was very outgoing and said what was on her mind.”
Jane lived in Europe before moving to Antigua in the 1970s to operate a charter business.
But the 66-year-old who was loved by so many and counted rock stars like Keith Richards and Eric Clapton among her friends was tragically killed in her Antigua home Monday evening.
“I was in shock and I think I started howling,” says John, before choking up. “She’s left a huge void in our family.”
Minutes before her death, Jane posted to Facebook, pleading for help:
“HELP!! A young woman has tried to break into my house!! She broke down by fence on the gallery! I’ve called the police… she is DERANGED… she’s trying to break the windows!!
By the time police arrived, Jane was dead.
Local media reports say she was stabbed to death and a 21-year-old woman is in custody.
“I’m still having a tough time coming to grips with how she died,” John says. “I don’t wish it on anybody. It’s horrible.”
Tributes are pouring in from all over the world for Jane, who was very active online.
She leaves behind an adult son, Jareese, and her beloved dog, Groucho, as well as countless family members and friends.
“I want her to be remembered as someone who was a really caring person,” John says. Somebody that was a real, genuine friend.”
Tess van Straaten
