Jan Ellen Maher

Jan Ellen Maher (née Ablon) passed away peacefully at her home in Plano, Texas on Saturday, October 5, 2024, surrounded by loved ones, following a 2-year battle with ovarian cancer. A Dallas native, Jan was born September 8, 1964, the first of four children to Arnold and Carol Ablon. A graduate of The Hockaday School and The University of North Texas, where she majored in Management and Information Systems, Jan was a self-sufficient, fast learner who loved to read, cooked with a natural gift, and cherished exploring her creativity through journaling and crocheting colorful hats, scarves and blankets for her friends, family and fellow patients at the infusion center where she received her cancer treatments. Jan's creativity and talent were such that everything she touched became beautiful, and she loved nothing more than to share her creations with others, adding a silver charm to her hats that read, "Made with Love." A kind, generous, supportive mother, sister, partner and friend with a preternatural poise, Jan maintained lifelong relationships with her childhood friends, doted on her daughters, Heather and Shannon, and along with her partner, Michael, expressed deep love for animals by rescuing innumerable cats and dogs from local shelters, giving them a great home filled with joy and companionship. Jan created such a safe, welcoming space in her home that when one of her daughter's childhood friends found it unsafe to stay in their own home, Jan invited them to stay in hers. And when one of her daughters was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Jan dropped everything to move across the country and care for her. Jan touched so many lives, embodying compassion, loyalty, resilience, hopefulness and strength. She never gave up, leaving a legacy of inspiration and appreciation in those who had the good fortune to know her. Jan is survived by her daughters, Heather Maher and Shannon Maher; her partner, Michael Minor; her siblings, Elizabeth Ablon and partner Mitch Sheffield, William Ablon, and Robert Ablon and partner Matthew Albracht, as well as numerous beloved cats and dogs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Operation Kindness or the charity of your choice.