Salem Farmers' Market Founder, Active Citizen, Passes Away

SALEM, NH - Many in the Salem community are mourning the loss of one of its more active senior citizens.

Jane Lang, the founder of the Salem NH Farmers’ Market and vice president of the NH Alliance for Retired Americans, passed away this week after a battle with cancer.

The Salem NH Farmers’ Market posted a note on Facebook about her passing.

A number of politicians, on both sides of the aisle, have offered accolades to Lang in the last 12 hours as news of her passing began to become public knowledge.

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U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, offered thoughts for the family and called her “a truly remarkable leader and devoted community activist,” who offered selfless commitment to grassroots activism.

“Jane was the inspiration behind the Salem Farmers Market,” she stated. “Her vision, energy and leadership were essential elements of every community project she touched and our lives are better for all that she accomplished.”

Former House Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt, a former Salem state representative, said he and Lang fought like cats and dogs but also share a hug after the arguing.

“She was always a worthy adversary and a good buddy,” he noted on Facebook. “It was politics the way it should be. Hearing of her passing hurts my heart. She was a tireless advocate for her principles and was a huge asset to Salem. Without her, there would be no farmers’ market in our community and she was always great to SARL. We drove each other crazy but I'll miss her. She passed away while riding high in the saddle, supporting Bernie Sanders and the values she believed in. God bless her always.”

Lang made national headlines when she questioned Gov. John Kasich, R-OH, at a town hall last year. Here's a clip of the exchange posted on C-SPAN's website.

Caption: Jane Lang questions presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at an event last year. Credit: GoFundMe.com.