Jeane Celesta (Francisco) Brockway

November 8, 1926 – May 6, 2021 Died Thursday 6th of May 1:30 am Peacefully in Home on Walton lane Jeane Celeste Francisco Brockway, a musician, politician, business owner and community leader, passed away on Thursday, May 6th, 2021 at the age of 94. She died of fighting two months of Liver cancer. A long-time resident of Annandale, VA, she was born on November 8, 1926, to Simon Peter Francisco and Ila Cundiff Francisco in Salem, VA. She was one of six children: two brothers, Frank James Francisco and Paul Swanson Francisco and three sisters, Mary Ellen Francisco Grace Elizabeth Francisco, and Betty Jane Francisco. Jeane was a southern lady who had gift for music. A lyric and mezzo-soprano voice, she attended Hollins College where she majored in voice and music and studied voice under Franklin Glen from London, England. She started her career in music at age 19, singing at St John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, VA, where she also organized the Roanoke Orchestra and Choir, broadcasting her singing voice on the radio. As a young lady, she worked as a buyer and bridal consultant serving 15 stores for S.A. Heromius Company, often traveling to New York City. She later started her own bridal consulting business where, in addition to organizing weddings, was often asked to sing in them as well, bringing her area-wide popularity as a performer. On May 17, 1952, she married Robert Stanley Brockway at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke. They soon moved to Northern Virginia where, while working as a financial advisor, she became interested in politics, often hosting fundraising events in her back yard on Walton Lane in Annandale. A strong voice in the Democratic party, she supported and campaigned for many candidates in races for Congress, the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She also held office in Annandale as delegate of Mason District Jeane loved her home and her neighborhood on Walton Lane. She had a love for the outdoors, parks, gardening, and she knew how grow every plant with just the right amount of sunlight. And, she was deeply committed to building a strong community. In addition to her political activism, she served on Fairfax hospital board and election boards and state transportation and planning committee boards. She also was a strong supporter of the Annandale Atoms and Annandale Boys youth sports programs. And, for the past 15 years, she served on the Board of the Mind Spec Charity, advancing the cause for Autism research. Jeane loved to entertain. It was always open house at the Brockway’s. She used to greet visitors with her wonderful, jovial smile. “Everybody’s welcome, just come in, have a seat, let me get you a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and you can tell me what you’re all about,” she would say. She loved all people, and listening was an art of love for her. She valued people’s beliefs, respected their differences, and accepted all people the way they were. Affectionately known as the Ann Landers of Annandale, she listened passionately and intently as people told her their stories and unburdened themselves of their latest problems. She had this special talent—an insight into how to solve problems. She loved to give advice, and it was always free. But above all, Jeane loved and cherished her family. She was not just a mother to her three boys, Allan, Philip and Robert, but a big sister who knew what was best for them. She was independent, did things her way, and was strong in her convictions, vocal to the point of sometimes being earthshaking, and humble in her accomplishments, only sharing what she was passionate about. She was a fighter and never gave up. And she proudly passed on these traits to her sons. Jeane is preceded in death by her parents, Simon Peter Franciso and Ila Cundiff Franciso; her husband, Robert Stanley Brockway; she is survived by her three sons: Allan Bernard Brockway, wife Linda Arnold Brockway, of Browntown VA, Phillip Brien Brockway, Manteo, North Carolina and Robert Barry Brockway, Annandale, VA, and two grandchildren, Brien Oliver Brockway, Austin Cay Brockway, great grandchild Oliver Teton Armajo, and the late Betty Brockway Low’s (sister in law) three surviving children - Sammy Low, Springfield Va, Tommy Low, North Carolina, Sarah Low Keeler, Pennington NJ, The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, friends and family make a contribution to Mind Spec Charity for Autism research, 8280 Greensboro Drive, Suite 150, McLean, VA 22102. https://www.mindspec.org