Ms. Jane Fronappel, 78, of Lake Wales, Fla., died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, of heart failure.

She was born on Aug. 14, 1934 in Salamanca, N.Y. and retired to Lake Wales 20 years ago from Jamestown, N.Y. She was an Elementary School Librarian, “Although I’ve never had children of my own, I’ve had a thousand kids a year for thirty-five years!”

She was a member of the Jamestown Teachers Association, a life member of the National Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the American Association of University Women in Jamestown and Lake Wales Branch #3013. She served on the Board of Directors for the Jamestown Teachers Credit Union. In the summers she traveled extensively in Europe and the United States, which inspired her love of art.

Upon her move to Lake Wales she took up painting and quickly became a celebrity as an artist and leader in the local arts community. She became very active in the Lake Wales Arts Center, organized the gallery displays at Lake Wales’ City Hall and Library, and was a member of the Frostproof Arts League.

Her other passion was literacy, serving with the Lake Wales Literacy Council and the Spelling Circus. Jane rarely missed a Chamber “After Hours” and was always happy to meet new people and welcome them to town.

She is survived by her sister Mary L. Austin of Lake Wales, a nephew Todd Austin and his wife Helen of New Braunfels, Texas, and great nieces Christina Clark and Olivia Austin.

She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Otto “Web” Austin and a niece Kim.

A visitation is Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at 10 a.m. at her church, the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, with a reception to follow in the Parish Center. Inurnment will be made at Calvary Cemetery in Salamanca.

Memorials of remembrance may be made to Lake Wales Care Center, 140 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales, Fla. 33853 or to the Humane Society of Polk County 555 Sage Road, Winter Haven, Fla. 33884.

Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.