Remembering Grosse Pointer Jane Bashara

was a leader even as a child. She was the oldest of four children and remained close with her siblings as an adult, her youngest sister Julie Rowe said.

"She was an amazing person," Rowe said. "She was a leader. She was a mentor to everyone. Those same qualities (her friends) speak of she showed when she was young."

Her friends in the Grosse Pointes described her as selfless and supportive.

Amy Graham, a friend of Bashara's who organized , said she first got to know Bashara years ago when other people were not necssarily friendly with her. 

The pair grew close and Bashara was a constant source of encouragement to Graham. When Graham began having children, Bashara's children were already beyond elementary school, and Bashara was constantly encouraging Graham about how she could be involved with volunteering and have young children, Graham said, saying that was just one of many examples.

She was also supportive to anyone she encountered, Graham and another friend Lois Valente said. Bashara had recently opened her home to Valente for fundraising in her campaign for school board, Valente said.

The Bashara's home was always full of young people, Graham said, noting Bashara's children and their friends were always at the house. Both of Bashara's children are now young adults.

Her son Rob is an industrial engineer and lives out of state. Her daughter Jessica is a sophomore at University of Michigan.

Her children and family always came first, her sister said, noting how she was successful in her professional life and personal life.

"Life was a hobby. She was always the planner," Rowe said. "She was so committed."

Bashara most recently worked as a marketing manager for Kema Services in downtown Detroit, which is an energy consultation company. She worked for Detroit Edison for 25 years and did work for Frontier 3 in the Park for several years.

Bashara often vacationed with her siblings as families and she often went to see Rowe, who lives in Chattanooga, TN. Bashara had a trip to visit Rowe scheduled for next weekend, Rowe said. 

Bashara attended Mt. Clemens High School, had a bachelor's in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy.

A visitation service has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30 from 3 to 9 p.m. at at Mack Avenue and Vernier Road. A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 at on Lake Shore Road.

She is survived by her husband, Bob, who is well-known in the community as well. He is the past president of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club.

According to the obituary posted on the funeral home website, Bashara is also survived by her parents, John and Lorraine Engelbrecht and siblings Janet, Julie and John.

Family is requesting memorials to either Organ Fund in Grosse Pointe Woods or to the Grosse Pointe Rotary, P.O. Box 36366, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.