Julane Jo Quick

Julane Jo (Spagnuolo) Quick, 87, passed away on January 1, 2024, Portland MI. Fiercely Italian, with a love of family, food and a good glass of wine, her family will miss her, her love of a good political or career chats, and laughter over a boat ride on the lake. Julane was born on August 15, 1936, in Lansing, MI to parents William Charles Spagnuolo and Nacoma Lenore (Dymond) Spagnuolo. She was a graduate of Lansing Eastern High school and attended Michigan State University and Lansing Community College for continuing adult education.

Julane worked for the State of Michigan for 37 years. She started in the mailroom for the Department of Civil Service and, working her way up the ranks, became the first female Executive for DNR as its Data Center Director. She held that position until she retired. Post retirement, she worked as a consultant for state government until she decided to “go fishing” instead, moving to her home on Canadian Lakes.

Julane was a former PTA Secretary in Lansing, Cub Scout den mother and volunteer for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She enjoyed family dinners at her parents’, vacations at Townline Lake, spending weekends with her grandsons at her condo and watching them play sports. In retirement, Julane was active in the Canadian Lakes Writers Quest and Novel Friends Book Club, served as a member of the Finance and Long-Range Planning Committees and the Garden and Travel Clubs and employed her passion for Michigan’s natural resources as Chair of the Lakes Committee and Co-Leader for the Muskrat Management and Purple Loosestrife Removal Projects. She was also a member of the Democratic Club of Mecosta County and Sisters of St. Andrews and volunteered at the Morton Township Library.

Julane’s proudest post-retirement accomplishment was authoring the children’s book Fish On! Michigan. She volunteered for the Red Cross during hurricane Katrina, passing out meals to those in need. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling with her long-time friends.

Family was particularly important to Julane. She loved spending time with her family at her dream retirement home on the lake, playing Yahtzee, ice cream at Scoops, long pontoon rides and fishing. She was lucky enough to meet her great-grandchildren.

Julane is survived by her son Joe (Lisa) Quick of Portland, Grandsons, Joe (Tim) Quick of Dallas TX, Julian (Kelly) Quick of Holt, MI. Great-grandchildren Owen, Asher and Isla Quick, sister Sylvia (John) Arena of Phoenix, AZ; and generations of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her Father William Charles Spagnuolo, Mother Nacoma Lenore (Dymond) Spagnuolo and brother William Charles Spagnuolo Jr.

The family would like to thank caregivers Julie and Sarah, Country Living of Portland, MI and Hospice of Lansing for their wonderful care of their loved one.

Funeral visitation will be held at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, Tiffany Chapel 3232 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48917 on Sunday 1/14 from 10-12 and 2-4PM. Services will be at 11:00AM on Monday 1/15 at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, Tiffany Chapel with a graveside service to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be can be made in Julane’s name to: Morton Township Library PO Box 246, Mecosta, MI 49332 or online at www.morton.michlibrary.org (click ‘donate now’ button at the bottom of the page) Hospice of Lansing- 3186 Pine Tree Rd, Lansing, MI 48911 or online at [email protected] or to St. Andrews Episcopal Church 323 S State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307.