Jann Cranston

I, Jann Helene Callahan Cranston, was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 18, 1950 and grew up as an only child to her father, a pharmaceutical salesman, Harold Q. Callahan of Macon, Georgia and, to her mother, a registered nurse, Helene K. Callahan of Kingston, New York. My father’s occupation moved us throughout the United States and my mother’s organized talents kept our family on the straight and narrow every step of the way through our moves, trials and tribulations.

I am preceded in death by my father dying from bladder cancer at the age of 75, and my mother from emphazyema at age 74. My dad helped me hone in my light-hearted social skills; my mom strengthened my levels of determination to complete tasks in efficient manners. The combination of these learned traits have been passed down to my children, Kyle and Kayla.

I leave behind others that are precious to me and, of course, the sunshine of my life when times were particularly rough, Jim Cranston, my loving and devoted husband. Thank you for your never-ending patience with me as being my constant caregiver every day, of every month of every year 24/7, as I could no longer fully function with daily tasks and as I questioned everything along the way. NO one could have done it any better that YOU did. Thank you.

Also, my dearest friend, Beth Ann Greer who introduced Jim and I to each other on July 26, 1976 at our local happy hour watering hole in St. Louis, Missouri. Her wise detection of our capacity to engage in a life together directed us a desert wedding in Tucson, AZ August, 22, 1980. And the rest is history! Thank you, sweet friend, Beth, for being so giving and supportive of all my needs throughout our 40 year friendship!

The faith I have in My Lord will help continue to watch over my two most prized Angels, my children, Kayla Cranston and Kyle Cranston of Mesa, Arizona. I want to thank my kids for all the caring love you gave to me all of your lives. They both know the abundance of pride I have for them. They gave me a large overstuffed tote bag full of happy memories too many to list, but with smiles with every beautiful memory!

Kayla Ann, my daughter, the world traveler, determined to save the world’s sustainability for future generations and Kyle Everett, as in his chef occupation, has the ability to make a bad day into a good one like flat dough into a sweet cake. Thank you for being here to help us on a daily basis. I will take the memory of your sweet faces along with me and will be watching over you both always! And you can always find me in your heart! I will be always there with love for you! Continue to smile and love and be loved in return! Go forward in your lives is the last request I have to make you and your father and of our friends and family members. I love you all.

Jann Helene Callahan Cranston passed away February 18, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. Jann was born July 18, 1950 in Atlanta, GA to Harold and Helene Callahan. She is survived by her husband Jim Cranston, daughter Kayla Cranston and son Kyle Cranston. Jann will be missed dearly as she leaves behind many others that are precious to her. A celebration of Jann’s life will be held Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 10:00 am at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ. Please visit www.LakeshoreMort.com to read Jann’s biography and to share memories with her family.