Jane Mary (Vilar) Follen

Jane Mary (Vilar) Follen, life-long resident of Grand Haven, peacefully entered the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Robbinswood Assisted Living Community. She was blessed to live a long life of 98 years. Jane’s family and faith were central to her life. She was born on July 9, 1924 in Grand Haven, MI to Peter and Mary (Resner) Vilar, who had immigrated to Michigan from Yugoslavia after WWI.

Jane married Maurice J. Follen in 1948, and worked with him at Follen Tool Company until his death in 1980. Together, they shared two children, Pam and Maurie, and spent endless hours at Pam’s dance recitals, Maurie’s baseball games, and at Grand Haven football games where Pam cheered and Maurie played.

Jane grew up with her two sisters, Dot and Edith, as her best friends. After graduating from Grand Haven High School, she worked as an Executive Secretary for Challenge Machine, which instilled in her a love for details and bookkeeping. Jane was a member of St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Parish her entire life, and member of the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28 Ladies Auxiliary for several years. Annual Coast Guard Festival golf outings and parties with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, were a highlight each year.

She kept her mind sharp with crossword puzzles and “Jeopardy!” later in life, and loved living independently in her home until age 92. In more recent years, Jane reveled in the company of her three local great-grandchildren, even when they spilled their milkshakes on her, were noisy at birthday parties, and stepped on her toes when they kissed her.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Pam Benison of Denver, CO; her son, Maurice (Sarah) Follen of Naples, FL; six grandchildren: Adam (Sayrd) Benison, Alex and Dashiell Benison, Meghan (Kyle) French, Nathan and Patrick (Emily) Follen; four great-grandchildren: Genevieve Benison, and Myla, Delainey, and Welles French.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice; her granddaughter, Paige E. Follen; her two sisters and their husbands, Dorothy (Albert) Draeger and Edith (Robert) Miller; and a special nephew, Bob Miller, Jr.

The family offers a special “Thank You” to the staff of Robbinswood Assisted Living Community and Hospice of North Ottawa Community for the wonderful care they gave to Jane in her final days.

The Funeral Mass for Jane will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022 at St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Grand Haven, with Fr. Charles Schwartz officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Parish or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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