Janice Anne Eggert, 73 passed away on May 27, 2023 in McKinney, Texas. She was born on September 2, 1949 to Clyde and Alice DeShetler in Toledo, Ohio.
Jan graduated from Bedford High School in Temperance, Michigan in 1967. She married David Geer in 1969, and soon welcomed her daughter, Deanna into the world in 1970, and later her son Dean was born in 1971. In 1978, she married her "beloved" husband, Glen, and they spent the next 45 years together.
Jan loved the beautiful things in life; she loved shopping, and she especially loved shopping for jewelry - she couldn’t pass a jewelry store without going in and looking! She was a strong-willed woman with a feisty personality. She was an amazing storyteller and used her love for words to make you feel a part of the story. She also loved to express her thoughts into writing, and shared her passions and feelings through poems and strongly-worded texts. More importantly, she was the best listening ear, and always made those around her feel heard and loved.
In 2020, Jan’s son, Dean, passed away suddenly. Although this was the biggest hardship of her life, it led her to find her purpose; to help other mothers who had also lost their sons. Soon after Dean’s passing, Jan became the first moderator in the online grief group, “Mothers Healing After the Loss of an Adult Son.” The group started with only 300 members and grew to over 11,000 members over the three years she was a part of it. Jan became one of the most influential voices for grieving mothers in this group, despite her own suffering and pain. As one of the group members wrote, “although she missed Dean to her core, she refused to be a victim of grief.” This legacy is one that helped thousands of other suffering moms and spoke to her loving, kind spirit.
Throughout Jan’s life, she loved spending time with her family more than anything. She was loved by many, and known as Mombo, Madre, Nana, and Janny by all who loved her dearly.
Jan is survived by her husband, Glen Eggert of Wylie, Texas; daughter, Deanna Shriner and husband, Dwayne of Allen, Texas; step-son, Todd Eggert and wife, Stacy of Austin, Texas; step-daughter, Kelly Lindell of Austin, Texas; step-daughter, Jody Sutliffe of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Erica, Trevor, Emily, Blake, Ethan, Evan, and Shane; great grandchildren, Anya and John David; sister, Leslie Sattler and husband, John of Temperance, Michigan, and brother, Howard DeShetler and wife, Kathleen of Toledo, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, Dean Geer; parents, Clyde and Alice DeShetler and brother, Alan Sehl.
Jan’s last post in her Facebook group “Mothers Healing After the Loss of an Adult Son” read as follows:
“I realize this loss and grief is NOT a competition! However, on Sunday, I will have survived 2 years, 5 months, without my precious son, Dean Michael! The only "competition" I have is with myself!
I can do nothing about the life altering loss of my son! He's with the God he served! What I do have some control of, is how I choose to move forward! Through daily prayer and prayers I receive from others, I have not only survived, but about one year out from losing my Dean, I began to thrive as well! He would be very proud and happy for me! It would serve no good purpose to be all consumed by grief! I am not saying it's always easy! I have days where I miss my son, dearly! I probably always will! But, because God is all loving, merciful and gracious, I am able to enjoy my life! Forever changed? Yes! My grief is just below the surface, but it simply isn't in the "driver's seat" any longer! I carry my grief; it no longer carries me! Some time and faith in God, have transformed me! May God bless every one of us moms! Big, strong hugs for you all!”
A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 2, 2023 at Ridgeview Memorial Park, Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation 2 hours prior to the service at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to https://afsp.org/.