JANTZEN, Marion Brady Age 93, of Needham, June 14, 2017. Wife of Francis Thomas Jantzen, Jr., Esquire, who predeceased her in 2004; mother of Joan Jantzen of North Carolina with her husband Alan Kister; Francis T. Jantzen, III of Florida with his wife Linda; Christopher M. Jantzen, Esquire of Needham with his his wife Suzanne; and Peter J. Jantzen of Concord with his wife Denise.
Marion’s legacy is survived by 9 grandchildren including Jennifer, Caroline, Michael, “PJ”, Lila, Marianna, Frankie, Andrea, Jesse, and one great-grandchild, Haley.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, the ebullient Marion was a unique woman, who enjoyed loving and nurturing her family at all stages of their life. During World War II, she met the love of her life, “Franny” on the West Coast, while Franny, an active combat veteran, was being decommissioned from the United States Navy, just after the war had ended. Their romance bloomed and they were married in Brookline in 1946. Initially, they lived in VA housing in Brookline, near Cleveland Circle before moving to Needham in the early 1950’s. There, they happily raised 4 children over the next 36 years, until Franny was tragically struck down in a needless motor vehicle accident by a reckless driver, rendering Franny head injured for the rest of his life. Almost 60 at the time, Marion then began her heroic and arduous struggle of caring for her “head injured” husband, who could barely walk and talk, for the next 22 years, until he mercifully passed away in 2004. With the assistance of her family, Marion was able to keep Franny at home for 20 of those 22 years, nurturing him on a daily basis.
A doting grandmother, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Marion also volunteered at Pembroke Pines, Florida Schools as an assistant teacher, during her time in Florida.
As the years passed by, the emotional toll of being the primary caretaker was great upon her. However, Marion persevered by relying upon her staunch religious faith to help her guide her beloved Franny through his long and tortuous Journey. Now, Marion’s own long journey has finally ended on 6/14/2017. Surely, she is now reunited with her loving husband, Franny, in heaven, where they once again dance the night away.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM, Tuesday, June 20 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church, Needham at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Monday, June 19 from 4-8pm. Interment in St. Mary Cemetery, Needham. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Marion’s memory to St. Joseph School, Office of Advancement, 1382 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02492.