Jeannette Dubiel McKewin Oppelt died on December 11, 2012 in Ridgecrest Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Deland, Florida. The cause of death was renal failure. She was 91 years old.

A 30 year resident of Jacksonville and Deland, Jeannette is survived by a daughter Carole Weaver-Linsner of Rockland County, New York; a son Vince McKewin of Los Angeles, California; and three grandchildren: James Weaver, David Weaver, and Katherine McKewin, all three of Los Angeles.

Born in 1921 she was the youngest of nine children from an old European family transplanted to America. Her parents were Anna and John Dubiel of Poland, Austria, and France. Jeannette was variously called Genevieve Yan Yah Jeannette Jan and Sue. She was born and raised in Baltimore and her character was shaped by the Great Depression. Jan married Milton McKewin in 1943 enjoying a 31 year marriage and two children. Milton died in 1974. Then in 1981, Paul Oppelt and she wed to spend the remainder of their years in Florida. Jan and Paul traveled extensively to Europe and the Near and Far East. Paul died in 2008.

Jan having come from Baltimore "Charm City" generated an almost nuclear sociability. She could engage anyone; and was a consummate saleswoman. Her Red Hat girlfriends her neighbors and the nurses who cared for her at the end all felt the power of Jan's sweet and funny personality. Jan raised loving children. In her last illness, Vince and Carole came from Los Angeles and New York to be by her side. Both treasure her rich personal legacy of humor and fun love of music passion for life and strength of character. She taught them sensitivity dramatic color follow- through and remarkable word skills. She is the mother and grandmother of entertainers producers actors and writers. Her fierce intelligent and comedic spirit will live on in them.

Condolences may be shared with the family through this online guestbook. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Deland.