Margaret Jane Kelley Pirnique was born in Bauxite, Arkansas on August 14, 1941 and died in El Dorado, Arkansas on March 19, 2020. As a lifelong learner, Jane excelled as a student in the Benton school district and then at Hendrix College where she graduated in 1963 with her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She then went on to work for Dr. Arthur Haut at UAMS as a research assistant in hematology, and it was there where she met Allan Pirnique. They were married in the summer of 1964 and shared 55 wonderful years together.
In 1970 the couple moved to El Dorado, Arkansas where Jane taught in the public schools and worked as a special assistant to the school superintendent, Mr. Robert Watson. She was proud to be a part of building the foundation for the El Dorado Promise which gives all students an opportunity for a college education. While doing all of this, she took geology courses from Louisiana Tech University and completed her Master of Education in Science at Southern Arkansas University.
Jane and Allan along with their sons, David and Michael, took many memorable trips which included Florida, Colorado, and Czechoslovakia to name a few. In 1994, the whole family set out to build a cabin deep in the heart of the Ozarks. Jane drew the plans, and soon the Pirnique’s enjoyed vacationing in their cedar log home nestled along the Piney Creek near Calico Rock. They loved fly fishing for trout and smallmouth bass, swimming in the clear crisp waters, or simply sitting on the deck in the light fog on a June morning. It is nice.
Jane was a proud, longtime member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of El Dorado. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Margaret Kelley and brother-in-law, Frank Pirnique. She is survived by her husband Allan, sons David of Little Rock, AR and Michael (Amber and her children, Elizabeth and Olivia Carter) of Vilonia, AR, and her granddaughter, Baby Pirnique, due in May. She wanted to be called Grand Mommy Jane. She is also survived by her brother, Jim (Sherry) Kelley, Benton, AR, nephew Jonathan (Lauren) Kelley, El Dorado, AR, niece Meredith (Ryan) Hankins, Birmingham, AL, sister-in-law, Carol (Alf) Williams, Little Rock, AR along with their children Gray (Lan) Williams, New York, NY and Amy Hartsell, and Frank (Mary) Pirnique’s daughter Kristi Kozney, Denver, CO. Jane was a very active person who wanted most to help people find their path. She did a good job.
In keeping with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations regarding public gatherings there will be no public visitation or services at this time.
Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Hendrix College, Office of Advancement, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032; The South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East 5th Street, El Dorado 71730; or St. Paul United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 700 West Eighth Street, El Dorado, AR 71730.
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