Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1924
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Jane Vilas Obituary
February 20, 1924 - May 11, 2014
Jane Blair Evans Vilas was born on February 20, 1924 in San Francisco, CA. Jane lived in Patterson for 40 years prior to her living in Turlock for the last 33 years. She was a homemaker and the majority owner of Evans Companies and Funeral Homes. Jane's passions and activities were many and varied. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Turlock. Jane loved playing bridge, golf, and traveled extensively. Jane was well known for her tireless volunteer and philanthropic activities in Turlock, Modesto and Patterson; including her work as a Girl Scout leader and Del Puerto Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Emmanuel Medical Center as a "Pink Lady", the Off Center Street Thrift and Gift Shop, the Gallo Performing Arts and Turlock Community Centers. Jane is a longstanding member of PEO, served as a founding member of the Turlock Salvation Army Advisory Committee and loved her time serving as a board member of the CSUS Foundation CSUS for more than 40 years. She was a founding member of the Emmanuel Medical Center Legacy Circle. One of her passions was providing scholarships for area students either privately or through the MJC and the CSUS Foundations. She also received many awards including the Primeshine Excellence in Business Award, the state wide award for the Senate District Women of the Year and recently received the Stanislaus County's Philanthropy Association's Philanthropist of the Year Award. Jane was preceded in death by her first husband John Evans of 25 years, her second husband Homer Vilas of 22 years, her parents Ben Franklin Blair and Marian Blair, and siblings Ben and Bill Blair. She leaves behind her children John Evans (Wendy) of Modesto, Danna Holmes (Dan) of Merced, Cindy Evans of Fullerton, Steve (Arlene) Vilas, and Jan (Michael) Conway. As well as her grandchildren John Evans IV CO, Lindsey (Joey) Martins of San Jose, Doug (Kim) Vilas of Ceres, Lisa (Paul) Willming of Ceres, Rod (Carrie) Vilas of Turlock, Danielle Russell, and her 11 great grandchildren. Services have been entrusted to Franklin and Downs Funeral Homes with a Private Visitation from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. with the public Visitation starting at 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m on Thursday May 15, 2014. The Funeral Service is to be held on Friday May 16, 2014 at Crosspoint Church in Modesto at 10:00a.m. with the reception to follow at the Gallo Performing Arts Center from 12:00p.m. to 2:00p.m.. Jane's Final resting place will be a private internment on Saturday May 17, 2014 at Patterson District Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send any donations to the Salvation Army, MJC Foundation and the CSUS Foundation.
www.cvobituaries.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jane Vilas
4 Entries
Cathy & John Adams
May 20, 2014
I remember Jane as being a "real" lady! In every sense of the word she exemplified fun,life,love,&giving. A loss not only for her family but for her many, many friends too! Lovingly yours
Barbara Lewis Jensen
May 15, 2014
Life-sized pink bears dancing on the ice – This is one of my first memories of Jane. She and my mother had taken Dana and me to the Ice Follies in San Francisco. This would not be the only larger-than-life childhood memory Jane and my mother would create for me. There would be the Eastern Star initiations, and for some reason, I remember being in an orange tutu while Julie Harrison wore a matching one. I think Jane and my mother were doing something for Grace Harrison.
Snow on the front lawn in Patterson was not a regular occurrence, but not only did we have snow on our front lawn, but also we had a miniature ski lift. Why? A party, of course. Yes, my mom and Jane and the others in their somewhat kooky group – Margo, Virginia, Dorothy, Ana, and Doris to name just a few – were big on parties. Sometimes they had them at the Del Puerto Hotel. In fact, they created a little party group: The Night Outers. That Del Puerto Hotel would be a humming place when The Night Outers threw a party.
One of my favorite memories is of The Hippie Party. Remember, this was the 60s. Oh… mom, Jane, and the others were too old to be hippies, but that didn't stop them! (Not much ever stopped them…) Margo and Hal hosted the party around their pool, and most of the guys showed up in afro wigs while the gals wore long Peggy Lipton Mod Squad wigs or falls. And the clothes! The colors! There were the psychedelic prints, the paisley prints, the poorboy T-shirts, the bell-bottom jeans, and the sandals. Groovy! Far out, man!
Jane and my mother hosted bridge parties, served as Brownie and Girl Scout leaders, served in various positions as Dana and I (and Cindy, too, I think) went through various chairs in Jobs Daughters. Both continued to be active in Patterson's chapter of Eastern Star until both finally moved from Patterson. Both gave us a rich and wonderful childhood.
Imagine my delight and surprise when I turned to the person sitting next to me at my first Turlock Auditorium event, and that person was Jane! Every other month my husband Truman and I would look for Jane before each event so we could chat before the show. What fun to catch up on everyone's goings on. We even heard about the skunk that died under Cindy's house! Jane had neck surgery, and then I had spinal surgery. Our youngest son and his wife had a baby, and Jane's granddaughter had a baby... and the conversations went on.
Jane was open, authentic, and made life extraordinary for all who knew her. Just by being herself, she was encouraging and inspiring.
Mom always said Jane was the “baby” in the group. Well… they are all gone now. No… they're all back together – probably planning the next kooky party.
Barbara Lewis Jensen
Jeff & TiffaniMIller
May 14, 2014
We love you Danna, Dan, Danielle, Ashton, Keara, & Aiden. We are praying for you. And we are thankful for the legacy of love Jane left for us in you!
Cyndi Mall
May 13, 2014
Jane's generous heart and spirit will be missed by her PEO Sisters and her customers and fellow volunteers at Off Center. Godspeed, dear Jane.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Make a Donation
in Jane Vilas's name
Memorial Events
for Jane Vilas
Funeral services provided by:
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home McHenry Chapel1050 McHenry Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350
People and places connected with Jane
Recent Obituaries
How to support Jane's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Jane Vilas's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored