Francene Jacokes
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Francene Jacokes, August 6, 1941 - July 5, 2021, age 79, a life-long resident of Grand Rapids passed peacefully in Cumming, Georgia surrounded by family. Beloved wife of the late Lee for 54 years; mother of Renee (Vincent) Mancini, Jeannine (David Powell) Jacokes, and Kim (Mark) Bintz; cherished grandmother of Cora and Nicolas Mancini, Megan and Kara Powell, and Monica (Tyler) Tierson, Alexandra (Alexander) Willhauer, Mark (Lauren) Bintz, and Madison and Morgan Bintz and great-grandmother of William and Benjamin Willhauer and Allison Bintz; sister of Patricia Russell and aunt of Peter (Rebecca) Trzybinski, Mary Beth (Herb) Scheer and Catherine (Christopher Lastomirsky) Trzybinski. Francene was born in Grand Rapids to the late Frank and Beulah Russell. She graduated from Catholic Central High School and earned her BA from Aquinas College. Francene and Lee were deeply engaged in the civic life of Grand Rapids as partners of Jacokes & Associates, a public interest polling and market research company. True partners, over the decades they advised public officials, nonprofits, candidates for public office, campaigns to support schools, transit and public facilities across the state of Michigan, and other clients focused on building stronger communities. Her intellect, good sense of humor and resilience will be missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel on the campus of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10:00 am (visitation to begin at 9:15 am). In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the Dr. Lee E. and Mrs. Francene S. Jacokes Family Scholarship fund at Aquinas College to support student financial aid.