Marijean "MJ" L. France

Marijean (MJ) L. France

August 8, 1946-September 6, 2024

Marijean “MJ” France, 78, is now in the arms of an angel as she passed away peacefully on September 6, 2024, surrounded by the love of many at Matthews of Neenah (AdvaCare). The daughter of Howard and Elmira (Jojade) Bandy was born August 8, 1946, in Wauwatosa. 

She graduated from Wausau East High School in 1965. On March 12, 1967 she married Thomas Youtsos and together they had two daughters, Georgia and Paula. On May 30, 1975, she married Gerald France and together they had one daughter, Ashley. Together they taught their children the meaning of love, devotion and commitment. MJ worked for a short time at multiple places, but the one where she met lifelong friends was at Fiskars. She found her true calling in being a home maker. She had a passion and strong love for children. This was evident when she taught Sunday School at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, being a foster parent, neighborhood mom to many, Mother, Aunt, and Grandmother. She made every child feel loved and welcomed in her home.

MJ loved music and was a talented artist. She could often be found playing music and creating works of art from drawing, painting, stained glass, and sewing. She passed these talents and passions down to her grandchildren, Colin and Liam. 

After spending the majority of her life in Wausau, Wisconsin she moved to the Green Bay area to be closer to her daughter Ashley and her family in 2017. During this time, she resided at Matthews of Wrightstown and later of Neenah. MJ was very happy under their loving and compassionate care. She could often be found socializing, feeding the birds, participating in Bingo, sunbathing, sitting on the porch visiting, staying up with the night staff to help in the kitchen or folding laundry and if you were lucky sharing her Diet Mountain Dew and Whoppers. However, her favorite activities included listening to her stereo with others on the patio or her best friend “Alexa” in her room. 

Surpassing her love for the fine arts was her deep love for others. She loved to host holidays, have a house full of children swimming, playing pool, spending time with family and friends up north in Tomahawk. She loved being by the water whether this was on a lake or by an ocean.

MJ is survived by her three daughters: Georgia (Jim) Lynch of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Paula (David Boone) Tapper of Cary, Illinois, and Ashley (Joe) McCabe of Green Bay Wisconsin; her grandchildren: Jimmy Lynch, Zack Tapper, Lillian Tapper, Colin McCabe and Liam McCabe; one great-granddaughter, Zelda Tapper and one on the way; her sister, Marilyn (Bob) Boreen; one Godson Kurt (Steph) Boreen; her lifelong friend, Suzanne Simonar; and many friends and loved ones from Matthews of Neenah.

MJ is proceeded in death by her parents, Howard and Elmira Bandy; her special nephew, Matthew Boreen; and her devoted husband, Gerald France.

The family would like to extend special thank you to the staff at Matthews (AdvaCare) for their continued care, support and compassion for MJ. They would also like to thank ThedaCare at Home Hospice team for their support in MJ’s final week on earth. 

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1301 S Ridge Rd, Green Bay. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will take place at Allouez Catholic Cemetery.