Mary Janice (Flanagan) TOBIAS

FLANAGAN, TOBIAS, HARMON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/1/2016 at 21:54:21

Aug. 30, 1940 --- April 25, 2016

Mary Janice Tobias passed away suddenly on Monday in a local hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the only daughter born to Neil & Alice Flanagan in Humboldt, IA, and was raised in Belmond, IA. She was an Iowa girl at heart! She graduated from Belmond High School in 1958 and attended Winona State University in Winona, MN, where she pursued her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education in 1962.

Her early life long dream also included meeting the man of her dreams. Tobe was the lucky man and they were married in Belmond, IA, on Aug. 4, 1962, after college graduation. They ventured off to San Bernadino via the famous Route 66 where Jan began her exciting teaching career in a 2nd grade classroom for 3 years before beginning a family. She was a devoted stay at home wife to Tobe and mother to Todd Neil Tobias, Scott Joseph Tobias and Kristin Elizabeth Tobias until she returned to teaching after her family was raised. Her interesting career continued and included many pre-schoolers, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders and adult education students over the years. Her wonderful teaching career culminated with her retirement from Mills Elementary School in 2000 after 12 years with the Benicia Unified School District.

Jan was always devoted to her family and her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them at school functions, sporting events and family get togethers. She enjoyed traveling in Europe and the USA with her late husband, Tobe, until his death in 2012. They shared a love of golf and enjoyed many golf outings in Hawaii and the USA. They were very active in the Benicia Bocce League and were avid bridge and scrabble game players. They were longtime members of Benicia Friendship Club and enjoyed many social events. Jan always loved her piano and enjoyed playing for many years. Jan spent her last few years volunteering her time at St. Dominic's CCD program substitute teaching, which she enjoyed very much.

She was preceded in death by her parents and Tobe, her husband of 50 years. She is survived by her children, sons Todd Neil Tobias and Scott Joseph (Karen) Tobias, and daughter, Kristin Elizabeth Tobias; brothers, Larry (Nancy) Flanagan, Allen (Colleen) Flanagan, and Robert (Janis) Flanagan, all of Iowa; sister-in-law, Barb (Steve) Harmon; brother-in-law, Ronald (Judy) Tobias of Wisconsin; grandchildren, Cade Neil Tobias, Taylor Ann Tobias and Aidan Joseph Tobias; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jan and Tobe were blessed with many wonderful friendships over the years. They were devoted catholics and members of St. Dominic's Parish in Benicia for over 30 years. Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West Second Street, Benicia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Monday at St. Dominic's Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia. Burial will be private. Visitation will be at the mortuary after 4 p.m., Sunday. The family prefers donations be made to St. Dominic's Church.

Times-Herald -- Vallejo, CA
April 28, 2016