Jane Cusumano(1954-2001)

In June of 2000, two years after putting her breast cancer in remission, Jane Cusumano founded Chateau Wally Films with her husband and businessman, James Cusumano. The mission of the company is to produce high-quality films that address human conditions and touch the hearts and souls of their audience. This venture was based on her success in screenplay writing, one of her deep passions over the last decade. With several scripts to her name, she completed one entitled What Matters Most (2001), which was written expressly with her daughter and actress, Polly Cusumano, in mind as one of the leads. Just one week before shooting began, Ms. Cusumano was informed that cancer had returned and had metastasized. Determined to fight this enemy again, and after consultation with her doctors, she set out for Texas to direct the film and simultaneously receive weekly chemotherapy in Amarillo. Ms. Cusumano was also determined to make this film experience a fun time for all involved, and even enlisted the participation of a number of other family members, in addition to her husband and daughter. Her sister has a small part and her sister-in-law, Donna Cusumano and her husband, who are documentary filmmakers, were on set documenting the making of What Matters Most (2001). This documentary focuses on the tenacity, determination and vision of a breast cancer patient simultaneously fighting for her life and pursuing her dream of making feature films. The film, in part, will be used to increase the public's awareness of the prevalence of breast cancer as well as a means of raising funds to support research to battle this disease. Jane, who was born November 11, 1954 was educated in the arts at several junior colleges in northern California. As an avid horse lover, she participated in a number of equestrian competitions. Ms. Cusumano also worked as an artist specializing in the oil portraits of famous multi-million dollar racehorses. Her paintings often sold for several thousands of dollars. She also developed a capability for older home restoration. After restoring a number of smaller homes, she and her husband purchased one built in Ojai, California in 1926 by the highly recognized architect, Wallace Neff. Neff was well known for designing and building homes in Los Angeles for such famous actors as Mary Pickford, the Marx brothers and Cary Grant among many others. The only other structures that he built in the Ojai Valley were horse stables for Edward Drummond Libbey, the glass magnate, and the original section of the world-famous Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. The Cusumano home, originally built by Neff as a 6,000 sq. ft. Mediterranean "getaway" for the Forbes family, is located on a scenic 4 1/2-acre horse and citrus ranch on the east end of the Ojai. In 1997, after purchasing the home from its third owner, Ms. Cusumano discovered that she had breast cancer. Despite her encounter with major surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, she worked for over 14 months as the general contractor for the restoration of the Neff house, which she named Chateau Wally after its architect. The home has been recognized by the Santa Barbara Historical Society, and has been quoted by Wallace Neff, Jr. as "the most accomplished restoration" of any of the surviving Neff homes. Sadly, on June 1, 2001, just four weeks after completing What Matters Most (2001), Jane passed away quietly in her husband's arms.