Jane Davis Rourk

Jane Davis Rourk, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA 82, died Sunday, January 3 at Duke Hospital following an extended illness. She was born May 14, 1938 in Charlotte NC to the late Javan and Margaret Smith Davis.

Jane attended Queens College and was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Occupational Therapy. The focus of her clinical experience had been mental health and pediatrics. She served in several professional leadership positions at both the state and national levels including President of the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association, Chair of the North Carolina Licensure Board, Member of the Council on Allied Health in North Carolina, Speaker of the AOTA Representative Assembly, and Chair of the AOTA Specialty Certification Board. Jane was employed as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Division of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill until her retirement. She also was a recipient of the NC Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award.

Jane was a lifelong Presbyterian and a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Deacon, Elder, on many committees and in leadership roles. She was the first woman to serve as the moderator of the Orange Presbytery. Jane was actively involved in leadership roles at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond VA and served as Chairman of the Board from 2002-2005.

Jane Rourk was devoted to her family, her church, and her work with the NC school systems as a pediatric OT. She and Henderson enjoyed travel over many years, especially to their beloved Paris, where the Rourks would take an apartment and savor the city as if they were residents. Cooking, travel, social justice, gardening, quilting, reading and her beloved corgis were among Jane’s loves providing her endless joy. She enjoyed her many years as a member in the Town and Campus Club and Folio. Jane and Henderson recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 20, 2020.

Surviving are her children, Caroline Davis Rourk of Durham, Peter Javan Andrew Rourk and wife, Karen of Cedar Grove, NC, Elizabeth Rourk Hayden and husband, John of Louisville, KY; grandson, Davis William Rourk of Charlotte; her sisters in law, Elizabeth Davis of Rougemont, NC and Marie Rourk Harrison of Shallotte, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband Malcolm Henderson Rourk Jr., M.D., and a son, Malcolm Henderson Rourk III.

A private funeral in witness to the resurrection will be held on the terrace of First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Mindy Douglas officiating. Memorial gifts may be made Union Theological Seminary or Meals on Wheels Durham.