Jane M Frank
Dec. 31, 1920-July 7, 2014
Castro Valley
Jane M. Frank died at the age of 93 on July 7, 2014, in Castro Valley, CA. Betty Jane Murray was born December 31, 1920 in Connersville, Indiana, to William J. Murray and Louise Bradfield Murray. Working for a major oil company, Jane's father moved his family all around the South. Finally, they located to Oakland where Jane completed high school at Oakland High. Both her parents predeceased her; she was an only child.
In high school, Jane was active in student body activities, cheerleading squad, and varsity tennis, playing at the Claremont Hotel courts. She attended Cal, playing tennis as well, still at the Claremont courts. Her high school PE teacher and coach, Elizabeth Frank, remained a mentor and eventually introduced Jane to her younger brother, Jim. During this time, Jane worked at Continental Can Co. in Hayward. They became engaged December 7, 1941, and married in Reno July 1, 1942, as Jim entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation mechanic, stationed near Taft, CA. When the Corps worked in the Pacific Theater, Jane moved further south to live with her numerous Bradfield aunts and one uncle. When she lived with Reason Silas and Barbara Bradfield in Downey, CA, the oldest Frank daughter was born, Susan Jane, in 1946. Post-war, the family returned to San Jose as Jim completed his MA degree at San Jose State. Jane was his chief supporter, editor and spell-checker, jobs she fulfilled extremely well.
Jim's first teaching job was at Hayward High School, where he and Tom Moore shaped the Industrial Arts Department for the high schools, so the family moved to Castro Valley. Jane and Jim built a home themselves (1948) in Castro Valley in which they lived for over 60 years, always entertaining family and friends, indoors and outÑa perfect setting for gatherings. Jane loved to garden, so her yard was amazing, but her roses were her pride and joy; they were absolutely gorgeous. She also grew many fruits and vegetables to supply the family and others with her amazing canned goods and fresh foods. Jane's cooking was legendary: creative and delicious. This gift would serve her well later in life.
During this time, Jane and Jim welcomed two more children to the family: Jonathan James, 1949, and Nanci Louise, 1955. Consequently, Jane became very active in school and community activities with her children including Girl Scouts, church school, youth groups, chaperoning church retreats, Cub & Boy Scouts (until the hiking & backpacking began), and music. During this time, Jane worked outside the home at Hayward Public Library; she loved it and helped organize the children's library. But she was needed at home, so her public experience turned into volunteer work at the libraries of the Castro Valley School District, establishing and organizing them. Jane also played Castro Valley Women's League Softball as one heck of a pitcher for her winning team! Jane supported Jim in his love of camping for the family, too; every summer she worked as hard as Jim to prepare unique equipment and foods for the lengthy family summer treks.
As her children left home, Jane became even more active with her church, Hayward First Presbyterian. She loved her church home, entertaining the wonderful friends she made there in social activities like the Schooners, studying for Bible Study, winning in bowling, driving the church bus, taking Church trips, and most of all, cooking in the kitchen. She cooked and cooked and cooked there - for hundreds - and did it well. All her recipes from that time produce amazing quantities! She volunteered to serve Senior Meals and with the help of great crews, always pleased her customers. She helped design the new kitchen and enjoyed working in that spacious, well-equipped center. The kitchen was truly Jane's heart, whether at church, at home, or in the outdoors.
After retirement, Jane and Jim traveled to numerous locales in the US: Alaska, Canada, the New England states, and the Southwest. She enjoyed these opportunities to discover new places and new social situations. Jane could talk to anyone and loved friendly conversations with family, friends and strangers everywhere. In addition, she was so delighted with all four of her grandchildren and very pleased to see and hold all but the last of her great grandchildren (6). She was incredibly proud of each of them and talked about them to everyone. She illustrated her values to her children and grandchildren: family, faith in God, a church home, and giving back to her community.
Jane is survived by her children, Susan Frank Ballentine (Richard) of Portland, OR; Jon Frank (Kathy) of Seattle, WA, and Nanci Frank Scheevel (Roger) of Castro Valley. Her grandchildren include: Jennifer Ballentine (Scott Kelsey) of Decatur, GA, Joshua Frank (Emily Howe) of Seattle; Lara Ballentine Anderson (Bill) of Marietta, GA, and Nicholas Scheevel of Castro Valley. Her great grandchildren include Jack and Lila Kelsey (GA), Torin and Haana Frank (WA), and Luke and Drew Anderson (GA).
The family invites everyone to join in remembering Jane on August 5, 2014, at 10 am at Hayward First Presbyterian Church, 2490 Grove Way, Hayward, with a brief coffee time right after the service at the church and a luncheon at the Scheevel home, 4267 Crow Canyon Rd., Castro Valley, directly following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jane's name to Deacon's Fund (kitchen), Hayward First Presbyterian Church, or Blind Babies' Foundation, 1814 Franklin St., #300, Oakland, CA, 94612. Thanks to Angel Hospice and Valley Pointe for their care in Jane's last days.
