Obituary: Frank, Jan Patricia
Age 65
FRANK,
Jan (Julianne)
Patricia
October 6, 1946 -
June 27, 2012
Jan and her twin brother Joe were born October 6th 1946, to Joseph F. and Shirley P. Ciesielski, the oldest of seven children.
Jan attended Roger’s High School, where she met a handsome young Italian boy from Gonzaga Prep.
After high school mom had plans to become a nurse and moved to Portland, but love called her back to Spokane.
Jim and Jan Frank were married in January of 1969 and mom put her ambitions of becoming a nurse on hold to raise a family.
In 1984 mom returned to school to finish her undergraduate studies and to complete nursing school while raising three kids.
Mom’s passion for children emerged again and, after finishing school, she took a job with Head Start.
There she spent over 20 years as an advocate for children’s health and as a strong presence in the lives of young mothers and children.
Mom loved the water and the outdoors.
She spent much of her time back and forth between Spokane Valley and a cabin on Deer Lake.
Once her children were all off to college mom moved to the lake full time and eventually built her dream house there becoming a member of an extended ‘lake family’.
Planning to retire from Head Start in December of 2011 to begin living out her golden years, mom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and waged an incredible battle with the disease for nine difficult months.
Surrounded by her family Mom passed peacefully (in other words amongst the chaos of the grandchildren, children and extended family - exactly as she wanted) into the open arms of her Savior at 8pm, June 27th, 2012.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents Joseph F. and Shirley P. Ciesielski.
Her memory lives on in her six remaining siblings: Joe, Tim, Marilyn, Sherilyn, Claudia and Patrick; her three children: Matthew, Stephanie and Joseph: and 10 grandchildren: Alius, Mathias, Sophia, Abel, Thalia, Isabella, Luca, Aleta, Maira and David.
A Vigil Service will be held Monday, July 2nd at 7pm at Hennessey Smith Funeral Home, 2203 North Division Street, Spokane.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday, July 3rd at 3pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 304 South Adams Rd, Spokane Valley.
A Reception will follow the Mass at approx.
4pm in Liberty Lake, 24859 E. Ludlow Ave, Liberty Lake.
In Jan’s Honor the family asks that you consider making a donation to Hospice of Spokane.
Please visit Jan’s blog at http://ilovejan.wordpress.com. Arrangements entrusted to: