Mary Janeway

Mary Frances (Francie) Janeway 85, Brownsburg, passed away on July 4, 2019. She was a 1956 graduate of Butler University, taught Business for Zionsville School Corporation for 35 years, volunteered at the Brownsburg Library, and spent many hours working in her flower garden. She was preceded in death by her husband John William (Bill) Janeway; sisters Melba Sue Harding, Sandra Bauer and Eva Wilmore. Survivors include sisters Loretta Niemeier, Barbara (Richard) Lathrop, Lana (Tom) Remmetter, Leona (Rick) Oliver; brothers Loren Harding, Lonnie (Margie) Harding, Danny (Pam) Harding and over 30 nieces and nephews. Francie was raised in a small log cabin house on a farm in rural Perry County, Indiana about 5 miles from the small town of Derby on the Ohio River. Her father and mother Leo Harding and Callie (nee Shraner) had long roots in Perry County, with ancestors settling there in the early to mid 1800's. The farm on which Francie grew up has been in the Harding name since around the time Indiana became a state (1816). She was grateful for the values handed down by her parents, especially those of hard work (of which there was no shortage on the farm) and education. Leo read to his children often, and Francie picked up the reading bug. Francie attended grade school in Rome, Indiana. She graduated from Cannelton high school, which was a 32-mile trip from home. She received undergraduate degrees from Butler in Business Education and Physical Education as well as a master's degree in Educational Psychology. At Zionsville high school she taught Business, Business Law, Typing and Shorthand, starting in 1956. Francie loved hearing from her former students and attended many Zionsville high school class reunions. While undoubtedly tough as a teacher, many of her former students expressed gratitude to Francie as age provided wisdom and they could better appreciate the value of the guidance and focus on learning she provided. Bill and Francie married in 1965 and were married for 37 years until Bill's death in 2003. They loved to travel and visited all fifty states, Europe (three times), and took several cruises. They joined Bartlett Chapel United Methodist Church in Avon, IN in 1998. Francie loved her gardens where she nurtured a great variety of flowers and showed no mercy to the weeds. Her gardens were recently part of an annual Brownsburg garden tour. Francie was close to her family, teacher friends and other friends, and hosted many gatherings, gladly doing the cooking and planning that kept people coming back to her home time and again. Despite battling a variety of illnesses in recent years, including two bouts of breast cancer (which she defeated), she continued to host events. Social activities and her inherent grit provided the fuel and toughness she needed to continue the fight. Francie was the glue (maybe even super glue) for several social networks, and she will be missed in this regard and many others. Visitation will be from 1-4 pm Sun. July 7 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, with funeral services there at 4 pm. A graveside service will be at 12 pm CST Mon. July 8 at Harding Cemetery in Derby, IN. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Harding Cemetery Fund (11957 Urban Rd., Derby, IN 47525) or your favorite charity.