Jan Mitchell Maresca

Jan Mitchell Maresca (Retired Major USAF), RN, passed away at sunset on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 with her loving family at her side. A visitation honoring Jan’s life and her passions will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2011 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Monday, June 20, 2011 at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Georgetown. Interment will follow at 1:00PM at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas with the United States Air Force Honor Guard serving as pallbearers and performing honors. Jan was born July 15, 1956 in Montgomery, Alabama to Donald D. and Viola Jean DeLaMater Mitchell. Jan was an avid swimmer; she began swimming at an early age and continued through her adulthood. She participated in the 1976 Olympic trials while swimming for the University of Michigan when she was attending Madonna College. Jan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Madonna College in 1978. The daughter of a Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and a former Air Force Captain, Jan followed in her parents’ footsteps by joining the United States Air Force in 1979. She had a long and rewarding career in the Air Force, starting out in the Nurse Corps and later transferring to the Line Air Force where she worked as a Transportation Officer. Jan met the love of her life, Keith P. Maresca (Retired Colonel USAF), while stationed at Clark AB in the Philippines. They were married on August 20th 1983 in Panama City, Florida. Together, while both serving their country they moved around the country as duty called. She went on to finish her education completing her Master’s degree in 1989 at Webster University. Jan was stationed at Jacksonville AFB in, Arkansas during Desert Shield and Desert Storm; it was during her time there she served as the Aerial Port Squadron Commander. From there Jan was transferred to Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton Beach, Florida; it was there she retired from the United States Air Force in 1996 and returned to her passion—nursing and being a Labor and Delivery nurse. She and family supported Keith’s career moving to Fort Benning, GA, followed by two years by a move to Pope AFB, North Carolina, and all the time working as a nurse on the night shift. In 2002, they moved their family to Georgetown, Texas, as Keith was sent to Fort Hood. Jan joined Round Rock Medical Center as a Labor and Delivery nurse. In 2006, Jan transferred to St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, continuing to work as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. Jan was promoted to Patient Care Supervisor; she enjoyed her work and was passionate about the care of the patients who came to the hospital. All these years, she maintained work and motherhood duties while Keith deployed around the world – she deserved Mother and Women of the Year honors many time over – never complaining about the weight she bore on her strong shoulders. Keith and Jan had a passion for their family and their country. They created a home for seven beautiful children and five animals. Together, the Maresca family competed annually in the Capital of Texas Triathlon. They came in first place in the Triathlon in the sprint/mixed relay division in 2008 and 2009. Jan is preceded in death by her parents, Donald D. Mitchell (Retired Lt Col. USAF) and Viola D. Mitchell (Former Capt. USAF). Jan leaves behind to cherish her memory and continue her legacy her loving husband of 28 years, Keith P. Maresca (Retired Col. USAF); her seven loving children, Amy, Kyle, Kelley, Kerry, Kippy, Kory and Alexandra “Krickett”; her brothers, Robert Mitchell and his wife Jean, Patrick Mitchell and his wife Linda, and Daniel Mitchell; her parents in-law, Frank and Jackie Maresca; and her beloved dogs, Speedo, Scout, Skip, and Indigo and one out numbered cat, Dixie; along with a host of other loving friends and family members. Jan was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend, whose legacy will be her love and strength she showed everyone in her life. In lieu of flowers a memorial education fund for the Maresca children has been established at the Independent Bank, Georgetown. Personal words of comfort may be sent to the family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com.