Mary Jane Brown, age 98, passed away peacefully at Via Christi Village in Manhattan, Kansas on November 15, 2023.
Mary Jane was born on February 2, 1925, in Waubaunsee, Kansas, to Edward Alexander O’Malley and Linnie Francis Spalding O’Malley. At three months of age the family moved to Clay County, eventually making their home in Clay Center. When in high school she worked at a local insurance company and JC Penny store part-time. She was the school newspaper editor, two year elected member of the student council, awarded membership in the Honorary National Science Foundation during her junior and senior years, and graduated as class salutatorian in 1942.
After high school she worked at the Fort Riley infirmary where she was awarded an application in the civil service to work at the New York Empire State Building for the Office of Scientific Research and Development where the WWII Manhattan Project was in progress. While in NYC, Mary Jane and her local friend Marjorie took in the sites where they saw Frank Sinatra, known as the "Voice," at Radio City Music Hall where he found his big start. She was able to offer her school mates and cousins who travelled through the East Coast to the European Theatre, a tour and visit to the New York City arena.
In 1945 Mary Jane returned to Clay Center, she then started her studies at Kansas State University in Manhattan. April 19, 1947, she and Beverley Brooks Brown (WWII veteran) were married. They then moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he attended chiropractic college and Mary Jane worked to put him through school, first at the Davis Manufacturing Company of farm machines and then at the McCormick-Mather’s Publishing Company.
Upon graduation they moved to Manhattan where Dr. Brown practiced for 50 years. They raised two children and would travel to Clay Center and Clifton, Kansas to be with family.
At the Manhattan First Methodist Church, Mary Jane participated in the development of the Children’s Center building and the collective use of the building through the federal government and K-State programs for preschool children. In addition, her community service included membership in the League of Women’s Voters, Stagg Hill Golf Association, 4-H Club Leader, Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader, and food service volunteer at the Riley County Fair. She has been a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha social sorority since 1946.
In 1968 Mary Jane decided to go back to work at Fort Riley and worked in Logistics until deciding to work at Kansas State University. She became an Administrative Officer for the University Computing Services for 25 years serving under Directors Beth Unger and Tom Gallagher. She worked with IBM who installed the first main-frame computer on campus at Cardwell Hall and was given the second email address in the program’s history. During that time, Mary Jane participated in campus wide organizational activities for State employees and served as a member of the K-State Affirmative Action Committee. She was awarded twice as K-State’s runner-up Employee of the Year.
After her retirement, Mary Jane turned her interests to the Riley County Genealogical Society (RCGS) and its Library where she championed the digitalization of records. She was president for three consecutive years. Also, during that time, oversight of the RCGS Library Annex building project completed in 1997 was her focus. She remained a member of RCGS, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, Flint Hills Unit of Riley County Family Community Education (FCE), and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Mary Jane is survived by her son Barton B. Brown of Manhattan, Kansas, her daughter Mary Kay Brown Davis of Baton Rouge, Louisiana: niece Barbara O’Malley Burson: nephews Lynne Pugh, John O’Malley and wife Jodie, David O’Malley and wife Jennifer, and Kevin O’Malley. She is also survived by many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. B. B. Brown, D.C.: her parents Edward Alexander O’Malley and Linnie Francis Spalding O’Malley, parent-in-laws Roy Brooks Brown and Mary Evelyn Schwab Brown: siblings Mable O’Malley Pugh, Patrick O’Malley, Harold O’Malley, and Tom O’Malley.
A service to honor her life with residents, family and friends, will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Via Christi Village at 2:00 pm, 2800 Willow Grove Road, Manhattan, Kansas. Mary Jane willed her body to science at the University of Kansas Medical Center. A private memorial for the family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Riley County Genealogical Society or organization of your choice.
The family wishes to thank all of the staff of Via Christi Village, Interim Health Care, Jane Williams, Sue Smith, and Amanda Hagenmaier for their loving care.