Jeanne Wilkinson

Jeanne was born on September 26, 1949, in Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central High School. She went on to receive her certified public accounting degree and a master’s in taxation from Grand Valley State University. She was an extremely hard worker, who, as a single mom, put herself through college. Her meticulous attention to detail and intelligence shone through at BDO Seidman and Aquinas College.

She loved simple things, like watching scary movies, reading, singing and painting. She had the most generous, kind heart, and she deeply cared for those around her. Her family remembers her as sweet, loving, creative, spunky, and independent. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt. She shared her warm smile and witty sense of humor with anyone who came in contact with her.

Her daughter, Melanie, and her grandsons, Ryan and Logan, were her whole world. She loved spending time with them at the beach, the park, playing games and going to their sporting events. She loved and understood many sports, and loved watching her grandsons doing what they loved. Her creative side shone through with painting, gardening and flowers. She even had the courage to chase her dream of having her own flower shop!

Probably her most cherished accomplishment was volunteering at her daughter’s school, Knapp Academy, as a classroom grandparent! She helped countless children learn to read and gain confidence in themselves. One child remembered her fondly, saying recently, “I loved having Grandma Jean at my school. My grandmas weren’t around, so it was nice to call someone grandma.” Grandma Jean was loved by many people—more than she even knew!

Jeanne is preceded in death by her mother, Caroline (Wier) Frank; father, Harold Frank; and sister, Victoria (Frank) Rickert. Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Melanie (Wilkinson) Kavaluskis; grandsons Ryan Kavaluskis (Ashlynne) and Logan Kavaluskis; brothers Harold Frank (Brenda), Matthew Frank (Michelle), Mark Frank, and Jeffery Frank (Tami); and many nieces and nephews.

Per her wishes, Jeanne will be cremated, and a celebration of life will take place in early June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a charity Jeanne donated to every month.

I would also love to hear your favorite memory of Jeanne. If you would, please post it here in the guest comments. Hearing those happy memories are treasures for my heart!

The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.