Jane Rita Kintz

Jane Rita (Hickey) Kintz, 93, of Mesa, AZ passed away peacefully at home on November 13, 2019, surrounded by family members.  Jane, one of two surviving triplets, was born December 3, 1925 in Fort Wayne, IN to Lawrence and Lilly (Wessels) Hickey who preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by her husband Joseph, her stepmother Esther Huth Kintz Jacoy Hickey, and her 6 siblings Adelaide ”Tutti” Hickey, Rosemary Felger, Patricia Buckley, Bernadine “Bunny” Sproat, Lawrence “Bud” Hickey  and her twin brother Joseph “Joe”  Hickey.  Jane grew up in Fort Wayne, IN and attended Central Catholic High School until the death of her mother when she took on the responsibility of caring for her family household. As a young woman she worked as a soda jerk at Powers Drug Store and also as a welder for Fruehauf Trailers.  Following his return from World War II Jane married her best friend and childhood sweetheart, Joe on July 29, 1946. Their union of 72 years produced 10 children Larry (Laurel) of Houston, TX, Fred (deceased), James (deceased), Kathleen Carr (Paul) of South Bend, IN, Patricia Bunton (Jerry) of Mesa, AZ , Christine “Tina”  Macias (deceased) (David), Mary Hanifin (John) of Mesa, AZ, John (Karla Jo) of Muenster, TX, Sharon of Phoenix, AZ and Janice Pagano (Gino) of Niles, MI, 16 grandchildren and 25 great-granchildren.

Jane devoted her life to caring for her family. She created a home life that was warm, caring and full of love.  If there was a home on the block where people loved to congregate it was hers. Jane was an excellent cook and always made enough food to be shared with friends who accompanied her children home from school. She was organized and had a routine that helped her manage her large family so that she was always able to spend time working as a room mother for one or more of her children, assisting with school activities and participating in the Rosary Altar Society.  Jane loved to sing and her home was filled with music. Jane played piano and guitar and encouraged her children to become involved in music.  At one time one third of the choir at her church was composed of Jane and members of her family. She loved all music but was particularly fond of country and western music, which she listened to as she completed her daily work around her house. Jane was also an expert seamstress which was evidenced by the beautiful wedding and bridesmaids dresses she sewed for the weddings of several of her children. Jane also had a love of gardening that was cultivated as a youth where she spent time on her aunt’s farm outside of Fort Wayne. She shared that with her children, planting a garden every summer that bore a variety of delicious vegetables.

The beauty of Jane’s life can be found in the way that she lived.  Her marriage to Joe was founded on love and trust and a strong faith in God.  When her children were troubled or facing difficulties she advised them to send up a prayer and put it in God’s hands. Jane believed in and taught her children to live by the golden rule – to treat others the way that you want to be treated. She championed and supported each of her children as individuals and celebrated their closeness as a family group.  She enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren and cherished every moment she was able to spend with them.  Most fun and memorable were holidays and birthdays when the entire family was able to celebrate together. Jane was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in South Bend, IN and in Mesa, AZ. Jane  was beloved not just by her family but by all who came into contact with her.  There were many instances as her children were growing up that cousins tried to stowaway in the car to come and be at Aunt Jane’s house.  While we are sad to lose Jane here on earth, our hearts rejoice with the belief that God has called her home to join Him in heaven.

We wish to thank all of the staff and medical personnel who took care of Jane as she made her journey home especially the members of Team G from Hospice of the Valley.

A memorial service will be held in Indiana at a later date.