Obituary of Jane Ann Howard

Jane Ann Howard, previously of Franklin Village and Canadian Lakes passed away peacefully June 8, 2017 at Evergreen Village. Daughter of Anna Briggs Holland and James John Holland Jr., Jane was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio before her marriage to George Mull Howard, also of Cleveland. Jane and George lived in multiple places during WWII before settling in Detroit after the war and subsequently Franklin Village until George's retirement when they relocated to Canadian Lakes, Michigan. She and George also spent winters in Ft. Augustine, Florida. Following George's death Jane lived at Independence Village, Brighton, Michigan where she had many friends. Preceded in death by her parents, husband , three brothers and a niece and nephew, Jane was the last of her generation for the Holland and Howard families. Survivors include her children, Nancy Grimes (Allen), Lexington, Kentucky, Stephen Howard (Diana), Franklin Village, three grandsons she adored, Andrew Grimes (Alison), Lexington, Kentucky, George Grimes (Emeline), Cincinnati, Ohio and Brett Howard of Detroit, Michigan. She was blessed in 2016 with the birth of her first great grandchild Jasmine Grimes, Cincinnati, Ohio. Survivors also includes niece's Catherine Anderson and Elizabeth Hamilton and a beloved niece Joan Zimmer (Richard) and their daughters who all did so much for Jane in her senior years. An avid volunteer, Jane was active in all her children's activities and went on to become President of the Visiting Nurse Association of Michigan, President of the Beaumont Hospital Auxiliary and instrumental in the founding of what became the Southwest Michigan Hospice. The Kirk in the Hills in Bloomfield Hills and The United Church of Christ in Big Rapids, Michigan played a significant role in Jane's life. Former member of The Village Club in Bloomfield Hills and numerous other social groups, Jane loved people and entertaining friends. A straight shooter in golf and occasional baseball player with family and friends, Jane was ready to try anything her grandson's requested! She and George traveled extensively in their later years but most of all she cherished her family times from teaching poker to her grandsons, taking road trips with her daughter and visiting Lexington to her daily visits and talks with her son. Private services will be held at a later date in the garden at Kirk in the Hills where she will be interred in the Columbarium next to her husband, George. Always a lady but with an adventurous spirit and keen intelligence, Jane will be missed every day by her family and friends. Memorials made be made to the Beaumont Hospital Foundation, Royal Oak Michigan or Kirk in the Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.