ice E. Jones Jelinek

Jan Jones, 75, made her transition to the afterlife, with family at her side, early morning, December 28, 2010 after a brave and valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. Jan was born in Denver on Vine Street near City Park and grew up in Lakewood. She was one of two students who attended all 12 grades at the 10th & Wadsworth school building. An accomplished pianist, Jan would often ride the streetcar by herself to attend lessons with Dr. Tracy (who, incidentally, was a student of Franz Liszt). She was happiest playing contemporary music, though she mastered the classics as any well-taught pianist would. Jim and Jan met on Christmas Day, 1954, while Jim was in the Air Force at Lowry. In 1961 after the birth of their second set of twins, Jim was called back to active duty for the Berlin Crisis, while Jan served the real active duty at home raising five kids, all under the age of 5. With two sets of twins, Jan was active in the Double Trouble Club. Jan always considered her most rewarding job was being a Mom; but outside the house, she was happiest in jobs where she interacted with people. She was a secretary for the Dick Funk Insurance Agency; managed Stretch-N-Sew in Arvada; a secretary (aka ""Mrs. J."") in the counseling office at Arvada West High School; a secretary to the Provisioning Department at Coors (and occasionally a forklift operator); and retired as a secretary for the City of Arvada Department of Public Works. A third-generation Denverite, Jan is survived by her loving, devoted husband Jim and five children, Sheri (Manual Guzman) Jones, Teri (Charmaine Haskins) Gilbreath, Doug (Sharon) Jones, Debbie (Mark) Mascis, and Sandy (Bill) Myrick. She is known as ""Gramma Minnie"" by her 13 grandchildren, Sean & Lyn, Lindsay & David, Steve, Tacey, Zach, Kevin, Nathan, Krystal, Wiley, Manuel, and Summer and four great grandchildren, Rylee, Everett, Wesley, and Jacoby. Jan was preceded in death by her parents Matthew and Elaine (Pickett) Jelinek of Lakewood and uncle Robert V. Jelinek of Golden. Perhaps her most treasured memory was our many family trips to Disneyland, where she reveled in the legacy she created. Her favorite part was having the whole family together in one hotel, enjoying the park during the day and visiting at night. Jan's life will be celebrated Saturday, January 1, 2011, beginning at 3:00 p.m., at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road (one block to the west of Holly Street), in Centennial. A small reception will immediately follow. Dress is casual, comfortable, and colorful - just like Mom! A private Interment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that donations be made in Jan's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN), 9082 Sunset Ridge Court, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126, or online at www.pancan.org. Please share your memories of Jan and condolences with her family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.