On this the first anniversary of Jane Franck's death, I want to remember my good friend,  neighbor and colleague for her compassion for the outcasts and underdogs of this world.  Jane made no distinction between humans or animals; her heart went out to all who were suffering.  And she tried to do something about it.  May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

I first met Jane on a Thursday, I think. Back then, she spent the weekends at the Bluffdale house. One day, before or after one of my lessons, she just popped out from the basement door at the Bluffdale house. My life was changed from that moment on. 

Jane taught me that the piano was a whole-body experience, primarily through Sunday afternoon "piano mentoring" sessions during '13-'14 (she would never call them lessons). Certain memories come to mind -- Her wrinkled, soft fingers, pressing down into more forearm as she tried to get me to press easily into the piano keys. Her Southern-accented entreaties to "relax, just LEAN IN to the piano." Her vigorous shaking of my elbows as she tried to get me to release tension in my arm. 

Those were happy, happy times, and I'll be forever grateful for the piano techniques I learned. But what will always stay with me is the memory of one particular afternoon, when Jane taught us what love means. "I love all things," she said, "and all things love me." 

To Sutu and all the Francks -- prayers with you as we all mourn the passing of such an incredible daughter of God. 






Jane lived a life was well worth celebrating.  She was one of my accompanists when I studied saxophone at Mizzou which was where I first came to know Jane.  I was immediately drawn to her spirit and sense of whimsy which appealed to my own.  At the time, I appreciated her warmth and down-to-earth ways and was also the beneficiary of her talent and good cheer.  We worked together on several occasions and Jane always made our work together a treat.  She had the uncanny ability not to take life too seriously and yet still to always maintain a professional attitude with respect to our performances.  

 In recent years, I’ve been blessed to reconnect with Jane and to better know Wally, Susan, Gordon, Lisa and Teeny through our mutual friend, Sutu Forte.  It has been my pleasure to see Jane at concerts of the Jazz Rep Lab, various birthday celebrations and the like.  Her humor, her kindness, her love of teaching and her general love of life and family (not to mention an irrepressible spunkiness) remained radiant through her days.  I will certainly miss Jane and I am grateful to have known her.  Getting to know the rest of the family as I have, I know that her spirit lives on through them.

My beloved aunt Jane and my daddy’s only sibling. How I love and adore you. I’m superlatively grateful for how much you love me and you showed it by always remembering to call me. You *always* make me feel like the star of your show. I can’t imagine a nephew being more loved than I am by you.  And while you won’t be calling me on the phone anymore, your tender and sweet southern voice will always softly echo in my mind. I love, love, love, love you my dear aunt Jane. Oh how I will miss you. Your nephew, G. Ward III

Jane has been my neighbor and friend for years. When I went back to university for my music degree, she would come into my studio when I was practicing and rearrange my hand position. There is no way to describe how much I will miss her!!

Jane and Sutu Forte (Susan Fourcade) came to visit me in NYC about 6   - 7 years ago for a long weekend.  We visited with a student of Isabelle Vengarova and had a lovely evnening listening to our host, Marshall Izen, at W 80th to tell his stories of Vengarova--which we all howled with laughter.  Jane and Sutu also relayed their experiences about their teacher, Miliken(sp?)  at Stephens--who also studied with the great V.  The next day Jane gave me a piano lesson!  I wish I could have had more.  Wishing everyone a glorious time on Saturday, I know Sutu is very astute in her musical choices.  Thank you so much.  (Photos? Darn, I wish we had taken photos!--we were having too much fun.) bd


I knew Jane Franck for over 40 years when she came to teach piano at Stephens College.  She was a good friend, and although we had not been in touch the last few years because of our various physical limitations, nevertheless my deep regard for Jane never faltered.

Jane was a very gifted pianist, and she shared her pianistic talents with everyone she came in contact with.  She was a very enthusiastic teacher as well, always sharing with students everything she knew about playing the piano with a beautiful tone.

Jane's love for people was contagious....humans and animals were equally objects of her affection.  Jane radiated a warmth that was hard to resist.  I remember her fixing eggs, three of them in each serving, (I can still see the three yolks...not scrambled!) after we had exercised in the morning around our Southwood subdivision.  Those were the days  before we worried about cholesterol!

Jane was truly special; musically gifted, a warm, loving person with a heart of gold.  May her beautiful soul rest in peace, and may the memory of her love help console her grieving family, especially her devoted husband Wally.

With all our love and deepest sympathy to Wally, Gordon, Susan and the rest of the Franck family,

Anne and Stanley Manahan



Jane was another mother for me. I think it was the 1960's when we first met, and we visited pretty regularly up until about 1992, when we moved. Back then, it was a different time. Doors, not locked, the front door was always open, and don't knock. Jane never had a bad word to say about anyone. Jane could cook, she would make huge batches of delicious food for all to eat. Her skills as a pianist were second to none IMO. Pictures, Jane loved her pictures. The wall in the kitchen was plastered with pictures of everyone and everything that was going on, and back then, a lot was happening. I last saw Jane a few weeks ago, she instantly recognized me and got that big old smile on her face, it was like no time had passed. I loved Jane, as did countless others. She was truly a wonderful soul. 

OBITUARY

Jane Franck

2 September, 1934 – 7 October, 2021

Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Memorial Park Cemetery/Columbia

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