Mary Jane "Janie" Basile

After a courageous seven year battle with cancer, Mary Jane “Janie” Basile, 66, passed away peacefully at her home in Topeka Sunday, February 21, 2010. Her surviving children, Anne, Steve and Dave, along with two of her loving sisters, Pat and Sue, were with Janie as she gracefully moved on to be with her Father in His heavenly kingdom. Born May 30, 1943, Janie was one of six children born to Donald and the late Maxine Marx Gibbs. She spent her life caring for others and traveled to many places with her late husband, Lt. Col. James Michael Basile of the US Air Force. They enjoyed over 21 years together. She obtained her BA in General Studies in Wichita, Kansas in 1977. She stayed home to raise her children as a full-time mother and following that was a substitute teacher. After earning her Nursing Degree in 1991 at Washburn University, she went on to do what she did the best, which was to care for others in need for over 18 years at Saint Francis Hospital. Janie will be fondly remembered and is survived by her beloved children, Anne Birkelo and her husband, Mark, Steve Basile and his wife, Ruthie, and Dave Basile and his wife, Michelle; her treasured and cherished grandchildren, Jessica, Justin, Henry, Julia, Abby and Victor; her dear father, Don Gibbs; her devoted brothers and sisters, Steve Gibbs, Pat Bottenberg, Johnny Gibbs, Sue Huston, and Joyce Smith; along with countless other friends and family who were blessed to know and love her. Janie loved spending time with her family, laughing, listening to music, having fun with her grandchildren, and thinking of ways to bless others in ways that were unique and special. She touched the lives of many people with her gracious and caring spirit and displayed dignity and grace in all that she did. Janie had a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ, loved God, and was a magnificent example of the way that He asks each of us to live out our lives here on earth. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Gibson Huston Love Fund, or Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, sent in care of the funeral home.

Mary Jane "Janie" Basile

May 30, 1943 - February 21, 2010