January of Jamaica Plain, formerly of Scituate, died on July 28, 2016. January is survived by her husband of 37 years, Kevin Reilly, and their son, Drew, a graduate student currently attending the University of California in Irvine.
January was born Feb. 9, 1952, in Boston to Richard (Jim) Franzen and Shirley (Trenholm) Franzen. January was originally known to her family and friends by her birth name, Deborah Lee Franzen. She spent her childhood in Scituate, always close to the ocean that she loved. She graduated with honors from Scituate High School in 1969, the year she was also thrilled to have her braces removed and to get contact lenses.
On Dec. 30, 1978, she married Kevin Reilly of Beverly. On Jan. 6, 1992, January gave birth to their son, Drew. Drew remained a constant source of joy and pride for her throughout her life.
January loved the arts, and excelled in a multitude of creative endeavors and activities: dance, competitive ice-skating, skiing, baton twirling, singing, and sewing and designing her own apparel. She enjoyed many aspects of art: drawing, painting, batik, and later, interior design. January also loved to travel and during her life she spent time in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as throughout North America, and the Caribbean.
January was president/owner of Kitchen Style and was involved in art and design for most of her life. She studied fashion design, fashion illustration, and textile design while in art school in Boston. She worked as a freelance fashion illustrator for Filene’s in Boston before her husband’s work as a drinking water specialist took them to the Philippines in the early ‘80s. It was in Manila where she decided to study interior design. She attended the Philippine School of Interior Design and studied at The New England School of Art and Design upon returning to Boston in 1984. She established January Interior Design in 1985, specializing in residential interiors. In 1988, she changed the focus to kitchens and baths and renamed her company Kitchen Style. For more than 25 years, she worked nationally and internationally designing beautiful kitchens and baths for homeowners, builders, and architects.
January leaves her family: her husband, Kevin Reilly of Jamaica Plain; her son, Drew of California; her sister, Joanne (Savinen) Damrell of Hingham; her brother, Rick Franzen of West Chester, PA; and several nieces, nephews, and grand nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Heidi Breichbell of Florida. January also leaves the many friends whose lives she touched and are all the better for having known her.
January will be fondly remembered for her unique creativity, compassion, generosity, and her enduring spirituality. But, also she’ll be remembered for her wit, colorful language, and for always being able to enjoy a good drink and a laugh with friends. Everyone who knew January will cherish the memory of her spirit-lifting warm smile and sparkling eyes.
In keeping with January’s wishes, there were no calling hours after her death. Also in keeping with her wishes, a memorial services will be held in the fall of 2017. The service will start with a brief ceremony dedicating a park bench in her name at the Arnold Arboretum on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. That will be followed by a celebration of life at the Bella Luna restaurant in Jamaica Plain from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Please contact Kevin Reilly at Kitchen Style to inform Kevin if you will be attending either part of the services at Kitchen’s Styles business line at 617-522-4910 or mail [email protected].