Jeanne Francis Schirard, 73, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011. She was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on November 3, 1937, to Elizabeth Rita Bridge and Joseph Galvin. Jean was a dedicated and loving wife in her 53-year marriage to Joe Schirard, and was a supportive mother to her children, Brian Schirard and Lisa Buchanan. She combined her love for children and the water into more than 30 years of teaching swimming lessons from her back yard, spending nine hours in the water for nine weeks during the summer. During the off season, she and her husband traveled the world, usually covering two new destinations annually. Jean is survived by her husband, Joe, her son Brian and his wife, Kim, her daughter, Lisa and husband Mark, and her four grandchildren: Josh Schirard, Jackie Cason and her husband, Craig, Doug Buchanan and Neal Buchanan. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
