Jane Cusumano, born November 11, 1954, was a multifaceted individual with a passion for the arts, horses, and entrepreneurship. She was educated in the arts at several junior colleges in northern California and developed a talent for oil portrait painting, specializing in famous multi-million dollar racehorses. Her paintings often sold for thousands of dollars, and she also had a knack for older home restoration.
In 1997, Jane discovered she had breast cancer, and despite undergoing major surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, she continued to work as the general contractor for the restoration of a Wallace Neff-designed home, which she named Chateau Wally. The restoration project took over 14 months to complete and was recognized by the Santa Barbara Historical Society as the most accomplished restoration of a surviving Neff home.
In June 2000, Jane co-founded Chateau Wally Films with her husband, James Cusumano, a businessman. The company aimed to produce high-quality films that addressed human conditions and touched the hearts and souls of their audience. Jane had already written several screenplays, including What Matters Most (2001),which was written with her daughter, Polly Cusumano, in mind as one of the leads.
Tragically, just four weeks after completing What Matters Most (2001),Jane passed away quietly in her husband's arms on June 1, 2001. Despite her untimely passing, Jane's legacy lives on through her film and her family's continued work in the industry.
