Mary Jane Franz nee Stapleton, age 92, of Mt. Prospect, IL, died peacefully on December 22, 2014. Jane was born December 10, 1922, in Chicago, and spent most of her long, active life in the area, where she raised her six children, grew prize-winning roses, and took part in many social and community activities, including volunteering at the public library, reading to schoolchildren, participating in the Mt. Prospect Woman’s Club, and getting together for laughs with her beloved “club girls.” Jane married John Franz, a U.S. Army lieutenant, on March 15, 1944. They soon after started their family: John (the late Linda), Barbara (the late Wayne) Steele, Joseph, Christine, Steven (Susan), and Janet (William) Swislow, whom she considered her proudest accomplishments. Among Jane’s biggest joys was becoming a grandmother to Amanda Steele, Karen Wojtowicz, Michelle, Katie Fellows, David, and Emma Swislow. She also was delighted to welcome eight great-grandchildren and to know that more were on the way.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 8:00 PM Friday at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd., at Northwest Hwy., Mt. Prospect.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, or the Mt. Prospect Woman’s Club college scholarship fund.