Mary Jane Johnson was born in Independence, Kansas in October of 1938 to Jack and Myrtle Patton. She moved to Laramie, Wyoming in 1949 where Jack took a job in the lumber business and became a homebuilder. Mary Jane grew up riding horses around Laramie and loved helping out on a friend’s sheep ranch. She graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1956 but remained loyal to her class at Laramie High School. She married Donald Johnson in 1956 and had 2 children, Tim and Jacklyn. She attended University of Wyoming and then was a partner in the homebuilding business, and owned The Still liquor store and The First Tree gift shop. Mary Jane was active in the Laramie Chamber of Commerce and helped bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Laramie. After retiring she returned to her love of riding horses and became an accomplished cutter, competing in the Western National Cutting Horse Show in Ogden, Utah.
Mary Jane moved to Gallatin Gateway, Montana in 1997. When she was not on horseback in the mountains, Mary Jane was active in the Montana Winter Fair, Montana State University’s Cowboys & Candlelight event for the Rodeo team, and the Madison Gallatin County Cattle woman’s Association. Due to declining health, she spent her final three years in Helena, Montana living at Touchmark with her loyal Yorkshire terrier, Sassy.
Mary Jane is survived by her companion Jerry McConnell, of Laramie, Wyoming; son, Tim and Sara Johnson of Helena, Montana; daughter Jacklyn and Scot Dowdy of Fort Collins, Colorado; Grandsons, Taylor Johnson and Deirdre Coe of Spokane Valley, Washington; Thomas and Erica Johnson of Panama City, Florida; Kirk Dowdy and Ryan Dowdy of Fort Collins, Colorado and Great-Granddaughter, Riley Melinda Johnson of Panama City, Florida.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25th at Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie. A reception will follow at O’Dwyers Public House. Memorials in honor of Mary Jane are suggested to the Cathedral Home for Children at www.cathedralhome.org/donate.html or 4989 North 3rd Street, Laramie Wyoming 82072 or to Hospice of St. Peter’s Health, c/o St. Peter’s Health, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
LA says
Dear Family,
I send my sincere condolences for your loss. There are comforting promises in the Bible that the time is coming when “all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus’] voice and come out.” (John 5:28,29) Our Loving Heavenly Father, Jehovah God has also promised that “he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more” (Revelation 21:4) May it comfort you and strengthen you to reflect on God’s promises to bring back to life your dear loved one to a beautified earth where she can be reunited with her family, and never have to get sick and die, ever again. (Psalm 37:11,29; Isaiah 33:24)
Linda Thompson Jinks says
Tim & Jacklyn – I have such fond memories of your mom and the good times we had together, both in Laramie & in Cheyenne after they moved. I remember in Cheyenne that Boyd Fowler was delivering Culligan soft water at the time so we’d wait in the alley for the delivery just so we could see him! I saw her every few years when I went back to Laramie for class reunions or to visit my brother Jeff Thompson, but unfortunately lost contact with her not long after she moved to Montana. I do know for sure how proud she was of both of you when, for many years, she she would give me the kids report including when you became a doctor, Tim, and when you started work, Jacklyn, at was it HP? I took my two children, spouses & 5 grandchildren to Laramie last summer but will be due for another trip in 2019 – Will see if I can schedule it for May. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your families.
Cindy pearse says
I got to know Mary Jane through working as her caregiver at Touchmark. Her and I got to know one another well during the short time I was with her. I will always hold close the memories
Of our chats and laughter together.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Rest In Peace Mary Jane.
Andrea Dickinson says
I got to know Mary Jane while I working as her housekeeper at Touchmark and what a small world when I started working in her apartment and thru conversation I found out my oldest sister did her hair and worked with her at winterfair in Bozeman we instantly bonded I was so glad to know her.
My Condolences to the whole family
Suzanne Nellen says
Tim. Sara, Mac and Family
We all lost a wonderful lady. She taught me many great lessons. Mary Jane and Mac took care of me when I started cutting. She always had my back, fed me well and she was a wonderful travelling partner when we hauled together. ( A great competitor too.) I have to say that it was Mary Jane who got me hooked on cutting along with her great horse. Mary Jane was a pistol as well as my mentor for strength, humor and courage. She will sincerely be missed.
My thoughts and love are with all of you.
Christie Francis says
Tim, Sara, and Mac,
Mary Jane…what a terrific lady! She was an amazing ambassador for the cutting industry. She had grit! I could always depend on Mary Jane for telling it like it was. Mary Jane’s ability to tell a story was such a pleasure. I remember one time when I was having trouble with a horse and she gave me a terrific lecture on the power of “rock grinders”. Still makes me chuckle! Christmas time always reminds me of Mary Jane. She would decorate her house like nobody’s business. I would tell her how pretty her place looks at Christmas time, and she would tell me, “well, I haven’t even put up my third Christmas tree yet”. Yes, she was a terrific gal! We are blessed to have known her.
Mickie Gehring says
Tim, Sara and Mac,
it was truly an honor to get to know this wonderful women, from her first words to me.. “where you from kid? i know damn well you’re not from around here”! it was a treasured friendship from the very beginning.
we shared everything, she told me about her business ventures, riding career (which i found most fascinating) i would have loved to have been there! Her buckles, beautiful beaded hair barrettes, amazing jewelry was a wonderful reflection of who this woman was, a story behind them all, and i had the privilege of hearing many of them. Men…. every cowgirls gotta story! But “Mac” was her man.
we laughed, we cried, we shared, and as i cry as i type this, i know she lead a very full life and was ready to ride into the great beyond complete and whole once again, ready to conquer what lies ahead.
Her children were her greatest accomplishment and she was definitely a proud mom. Grandchildren were the sparkle in her eyes.
She was a lover of animals and Sassy was one of her many four legged babies.
I feel blessed and honored to have been just a piece of this special ladies life.
Farewell to a cowgirl who did things “her way” I Love you!
Bojana Susak says
Tim, Sara, Mac, Taylor and Tom,
We are so sorry to hear that Mary Jane has passed away. She was truly unique and amazing woman and we are so honored to get to know her. Our sincere condolences to you all. If you need help with little Sassy please do not hesitate to ask. Mary Jane took care of our dog when we needed it the most, and we would be happy to help.
Bojana and Dragan
Lynn Cardey-Yates says
My Dad, Keith Cardey, asked me to relay this story that he loves to tell about Mary Jane and Mac. Keith moved with his wife of 50+ years to Bozeman when he was in his late 70’s. While Keith grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, he lived much of his adult life outside of Chicago, so the move to Bozeman was something of an adventure. Keith’s wife passed away shortly after the move, and Mary Jane and Mac reached out to him and included him in their circle of friends. One Sunday they invited Keith to a barbeque at a friend’s place way up Taylors Fork Road south of Big Sky. As he tells it, he was the driver and Mac was the bartender. He drove Mary Jane’s or Mac’s pickup over a pretty rough road, and the three of them shared a bottle of wine and lots of laughs as they bounced along. He met wonderful new friends at the outing, and enjoyed exploring the compound of their hostess. We love to hear the story as often as he likes to tell it, because it is a reminder of what a warm hearted person Mary Jane was and it connects us to our special friends Tim and Sara.
Mary Jane was generous and kind, and talk about a no-nonsense gal! I find it ironic that her dog’s name was Sassy, because that’s how I think of Mary Jane. She was one in a million. Love ya, Lynn
Sylvia Parvin says
Condolences