As a blessing to all who knew her, Frances Ann Myers was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 8, 1937, the first daughter of Martin Jacob and Francies Lorene (Schwarz) Myers.
The family lived in east Kansas City, where she attended St. Michael’s Grade School. The family grew and she welcomed four siblings over the next several years: Karen, Mary Jo, Deanna and Marty. Because Fran was the eldest child, she often enjoyed experiences before her siblings got to, earning her the nickname “Queenie” from her sisters.
Frances graduated from Lillis High School and went on to earn her BA degree in Business from St. Theresa’s College, now Avila University, where she remained an active alum. She maintained and nurtured many dear friendships that began during those college days at St. Theresa’s.
Frances fell in love with Jerry Michael Lehane (Mike),and they married on June 20, 1959.
They welcomed five children: Jerry Michael II, Ann Maureen, Jeffrey Martin, Mark Alan, and Matthew Scott. Frances fiercely devoted her life to being ever-present for her family. Her family was her “raison d’etre” and she cherished having them all together. It was very important for her to have family time and she instilled that in her children.
She was a room mother for school, a den mother for scouts, a 4-H leader, a block mother, a mother of wrestlers and a Thespian. Her station wagon was always loaded with children going to some activity or another, and often they were not always her own kids! She welcomed all the neighborhood kids, her nieces and nephews, treating them as her own. You could always find her tie-dyeing t-shirts, making popcorn balls, sewing costumes, hunting rocks, pressing leaves, playing “scrub” in the backyard, or baking the best chocolate pies around.
When Mike was taken to God in 1982, Francesrejoined the workforce at various places like Mother Earth News and Milgram’s, finishing out her career as the Human Resource Manager at Missouri Housing Development Commission. Here, too, she made lifelong friends.
Frances had many interests and hobbies. She was athletic and played tennis, was an avid bowler, the love of which she shared with her kids. She was an insatiable reader, diving into romance, crime and thriller novels. “Yahtzee” was becoming her favorite pastime and during the pandemic she played “Zoom Yahtzee” with her family. She was environmentally minded and liked having a garden. She canned food all summer so that her family could have healthier choices. Harvesting green beans in full moonlight was not unusual.
Frances was artistic and was always engaged in some new project, whether it was sewing, woodworking, making jewelry, ceramics, painting, refinishing, trying new recipes or playing games. She had a strong competitive streak and loved challenges.
As a devout Catholic, Frances had a strong faith and attended services regularly. She was an active member of the DCCW of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, taught CCD classes and loved singing as a member of the choir at St. John Lalande’s Parish. When they moved to Lone Jack, she and Mike were active in founding the Altar Society at St. Jude’s Parish in Oak Grove.
Frances was a very independent, self-sufficient, strong, caring woman who would never turn anyone away from her door. She created an extensive circle of people who loved and admired her and whom she loved without hesitation.
Frances has been reunited with her mother, father, husband, sisters Karen Sue Myers Harkness, Mary Jo Myers O’Neill (James, dec.), brother-in-law James Giessel, aunts, uncles, and many friends.
Surviving her are two siblings, Deanna (Myers) Giessel, Martin (Bonnie) Myers, her brother-in-law Laurence Harkness, her children: Jerry (Barb) Lehane, Ann Lehane, Jeff Lehane, Mark Lehane, Matt (Kim)Lehane, and her grandchildren: David (Rena, dec.)Lehane, Jessica Lehane-Thomas, Derek Lehane, Phillip Lehane, Scott (Lauren) Lehane, Jacob Lehane, Alan Lehane, Eva Lehane, Matthew (Tasha) Pounds, and Rhein (Emily) Pounds. Frances leaves seven great–grandchildren: Mark Wayne Lehane, Vada Rose Lehane, Luna Mae Lehane, Aurora Joy Lehane, Avery Lynn Pounds, Robyn Lee Pounds, Riker Dallas Pounds, Ian Christopher Pounds, Ruth Ann Stock, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand–nephews, great grandnieces, great grandnephews and countless friends.
Frances left us peacefully, with the grace and class inwhich she lived her life.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023 at St. John Lalande Catholic Church, 805 N.W. RD Mike Rd Blue Springs, MO. In lieu of flowers, Fran wished rather that you would consider donating to Harvesters Community Food Network 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129. https://secure3.convio.net/harvst/site/Donation2?df_id=2800&2800.donation=form1
Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs. Memories of Fran and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
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