Jean Marie Frank

A Memorial Service for Jean Marie “Toni” Frank (nee Wade) of Lake Zurich, IL formerly of Buffalo Grove and Northfield, IL , will be a private family memorial.

Toni was born August 9, of an undisclosed year, in Oak Park, and passed away February 8, 2024, in Barrington.

Toni was the beloved wife of the late Dan A. Frank; loving mother of Corey (Victoria) Frank and Robin (Andy) Frank-Jurkowski; loving grandmother of Leah Jurkowski, Zoe Jurkowski, Sydney Wade Frank and Cade Frank.

Toni grew up in Oak Park, IL the youngest daughter of a large Irish Catholic family.  In order to leave a rather dysfunctional dynamic, she made the decision to emancipate herself at age 13, go to Catholic School and eventually enter the convent, which seemed like a good idea until they decided that she posed more questions than the nuns wanted to answer.  

What happened after seems to be a mystery. What we do know is in the years that followed she worked as a typist, got arrested for taking a horse for a joy ride and married and divorced twice (once to a professional wrestler).  As she matured, she eventually moved to Chicago where she met Dan Frank who lived in the same building and was gentlemanly enough to hold the door and help her move in.  They were married, honeymooned in Mexico, and had two lovely children.  

Dan and Toni were married for nearly fifty years and during that time they traveled all over the globe, seeing Hawaii, Paris, and other exotic locales.  Toni also spent thousands of hours playing tennis.  She enjoyed her time with friends bowling (until she got kicked out of the league for making lewd gestures that she wasn’t even aware of).  She loved her extended family of pets; Max, Barnaby, Lola and Elliott and was a dog lover her entire life. 

Because this woman was a force of nature, she was able to overcome multiple medical issues, having John Wayne Gacy as a contractor, but ultimately disproved the theory that she would outlive Keith Richards and cockroaches. She was a unique spirit and loved dark humor, and a good conversation or debate, especially over a martini or three. She will be missed by many who she touched through her <REDACTED> years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated to the American Heart Association.