Jane Marie Kwiatkowski, 62, of Traverse City passed away Thursday, December 18, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family.

Jane was born on Monday, February 11, 1952 to the late Richard H. and Ellen L. (Durga) Merchant in Traverse City, MI. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1970 and married Bernard John "BJ" Kwiatkowski on Friday, October 20, 1972 in Traverse City. Jane was very supportive of BJ as he served our country as a member of the U. S. Coast Guard.

A native of Traverse City, She was a seamstress for Tru-Fit Trouser for 25 years and then worked in maintenance at Traverse City Area Public Schools for 13 years. Jane loved sports - was a catcher in women's fast pitch softball and loved to shop with her daughters. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, Christmas baking, reading and family card and board games. Jane loved her grandchildren - was an awesome wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She loved family holidays, especially Cherry Festival tailgate barbecues.

Jane is survived by her husband, BJ; her daughters, Buffy (Dean) Paakola of Traverse City and Becky (Mickey Moore) Kwiatkowski of Mesick; her beloved grandchildren, Logan (Seth) Little of Kingsley, Matthew Paakola of Traverse City, Xander Moore of Mesick and her great grandchild Colton Little. Jane is also survived by her siblings, Richard (Diane) Merchant and Robert Merchant of Traverse City, Glenn (Mary Ellen) Merchant of Kalkaska and Joyce E. (Daniel) Tkach of Traverse City, along with many nieces and nephews. Jane was preceded in death by her parents and her sister and brother in law Janet and LeRoy Buchanan.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Hospice of Michigan and Chronic Care Management for the loving care they provided Jane.


Visitation for friends and family will be held from 6 until 8 P.M. Friday, Dec. 26 at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m., also at the funeral home with The Memorial Service for Jane immediately following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Chris Lane will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56077 ( www.alsa.org ), Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Highway, Traverse City, 49684 ( www.hom.org ) or Chronic Care Management, 697 Hannah Ave., Suite D., Traverse City, 49686.


Please share memories of Jane and thoughts for the family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.