Jeanette Ilene Massey

Jeanette Ilene Massey, lovingly known as Jan, passed away on October 24, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas, surrounded by her family. She was born on December 16, 1935, in Glenlock, Kansas, and lived a life marked by creativity, warmth, and a spirited love for the people and moments that made life joyful.

Jan graduated from Lawrence High School in 1953 and went on to build a strong and industrious working life. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper with Massey & Son Auto Salvage and also pursued her entrepreneurial spirit through several small businesses in the Topeka area. She brought dedication and energy to her work, and that same energy carried into every part of her life.

She was very creative and caring, with a gift for poetry and artwork that reflected her vibrant spirit. Jan was an artist, a card player, a sports enthusiast, and a devoted Chiefs fan. She loved dancing, music, sharing a glass of wine, and bringing fun wherever she went. She truly was the life of the party and brought the vibe with her. During her visits to the casino, she made many friends, and she also loved playing games with her community at the facility where she lived. While she was a friend to all, she shared a special bond with Tracy Van Horn, the activity director at Celebration Villa, who helped keep Jan’s creative side alive and flourishing in her later years. Table 16 at Celebration Villa will be forever changed without her.

Jan embraced life with remarkable enthusiasm and fearless joy. At 89 years old, she took her first skydiving trip, creating a memory that perfectly reflected her adventurous spirit. Nothing mattered more to her than showing up for the people she loved. She treasured attending her family’s sporting events and never missed a concert or ball game for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her presence in the stands, in the audience, and in the everyday celebrations of family life was a steady and loving gift.

She is survived by her son, Ronald “Blake” Morgan; her daughter, Teresa “Terry” Urbanek; her stepdaughter, Cheryl McKinnon; six grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; her brother, Lyle Fergus; and her sister, Jewel Ireland. She leaves behind a family who knew her as a constant source of encouragement, personality, and love, and who will carry her memory forward in the stories, laughter, and traditions she helped create.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Massey; her son, William G. Massey; her stepson, Don Massey; her stepdaughter, Diane Burcham; her grandson, Francis Urbanek; her father, Fred Fergus; her mother, Minnie Fergus; and her brother, Richard Fergus.

Jan will be remembered for her creativity, her caring heart, her adventurous nature, and the unmistakable spark she brought into every room. Her life was full of color, music, laughter, and deep devotion to family and friends. Those who knew and loved her will hold her close in memory and miss her dearly.