Jane (Croak) Jablonski Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of long time Covina resident Elizabeth Jane Jablonski aka Jane Jablonski aka Jane Croak aka Miss Jane who passed away on October 21, 2023, at the age of 104, leaving to mourn her family and many friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Jane Jablonski to pay her a last tribute.

Jane Jablonski was born in Hammond, Indiana on July 22nd, 1919. Jane had one sister (Jessie) and six brothers! (Jim, Richard, William, Phillip, Arthur (Art) and Tom.) She was raised in Hammond, but also spent time in Edwardsville, Illinois staying with her aunt who was a wholesaler of antiques. Jane attended Hammond High and was very involved in high school clubs like French club, Swimming Team, and several others. On September 22, 1940, Jane married Albert Anthony Jablonski (also known as “Jabo”) Jabo was in WWII stationed in France, Jane worked in the defense plant making parts for 50 caliber machine guns. Jabo wrote her love letters while he was in the war and Jane kept all of them! Jane enjoyed her grandchildren reading them to her during this past year. Jane brought three beautiful children into the world. Tom (January 17th, 1945) Tim (July 20th, 1947) and Terry Jane (October 20th, 1949) Most of her adult life she was a stay-at-home mother, and; in the early fifties her husband spent long hours developing their “Richfield Gas Station” (which was located at the corner of Lower Azusa & Peck Road in El Monte, California) It was during that time that they decided it would be a great opportunity for “Jabo” to become a State Farm Insurance Agent… and Jane spent hours helping to get their “future State Farm office” off the ground. Jane also leaves behind two granddaughters Lacy Jane (June 20, 1975) and Mikella Summer (July 15, 1997)

Jane was a big fan of the cinema. She started enjoying movies very early at “the corner movie theater” watching all the great “silent films” for only a nickel! She continued to read about and watch movies her entire life. She loved to read books about celebrities and great entertainers. Over the years, Jane developed a big interest in Antiques which led to her and Jabo having their own little antique shop inside “Orange Tree Bazaar” (located downtown in Glendora) for several years. Jane loved to meet new people. She enjoyed traveling around the country with her husband. She would bring back “things” for the antique shop. When I say she traveled, I mean these trips really went everywhere; Europe, Japan, and New Zealand just to name a few. Jane especially loved stepping away from the “tours” (so to speak) to meet new people. Jane made a lot of friends, and she often offered them a place to stay should these new friends ever visit California. A few people actually did come and visit and stay with Jane and her husband in their beautiful Covina Heights home. This residence was a corner lot with a gorgeous view! Jane resided in that home for 53 years! Jane and her first granddaughter Lacy Jane were VERY close. Jane taught her granddaughter Lacy Jane how to bake at a very young age. In her youth, Lacy Jane spent a lot of time at Grandma's house. She had her own room filled with antique furniture and all the toys and treats a little girl could ever ask for.

Community Service played a large part in the adventurous life of Miss Jane. She was a “room mother” to all three of her kids as they went through Frank Wright Elementary. She was involved with the Parent Teacher Associations and became PTA president at Frank Wright Elementary in El Monte, CA. A big part of her role in PTA president was helping to raise money for the community by putting on talent shows, carnivals, sporting events, firework’s displays, and a lot more activities. She was SO involved and did SO MUCH to raise money for the kids and the town of El Monte, CA. She organized Friday Night dances at Frank Wright Elementary for 7th and 8th graders so that they could learn how to dance before entering High School (which was very popular) and she was successful! Jane ran both the Little Leage and Pop Warner concession stands. She made chili for years at these events and her chili became a tradition in other events as well. For years and years Jane also volunteered at the neighborhood polling place on election day. She was a very active member of and contributor to The Covina Women’s Club, The El Monte Kiwanis Clubs, El Monte Little League, and El Monte Pop Warner Football. In her later years she would become known for preparing and delivering special gifts to people at the local post office, pharmacy, grocery store, bank, and any other local businesses she interacted with. Every community always expresses their gratitude, fondness and FUN associated with Jane’s involvement in anything. From Hammond, Indiana to Covina, California Jane has been honorably awarded and special mentions featured in numerous newspaper articles, throughout her one hundred and four amazing years of life on this planet. Articles have highlighted her generous time and endless effort as well as other ways she contributes to her communities.

Services held on Monday, November 20th 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and a burial from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the Oakdale Cemetery (1401 S Grand Ave, Glendora, CA 91740). A reception will be held on Monday, November 20th 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Spaghetti Eddie's Cucina Italiana (946 S Grand Ave, Glendora, CA 91740).