Mary Jean Pawley

Mary Jean was an active member of the Houston chapter of AAUW, a devoted alumna of The University of Denver, University of Houston, and Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She volunteered as a Docent at Renzi and MFA,H, a member of St. Martin’s Saintly Stitchers, a charter member of Geowives, a Girl Scout Leader, and other groups as well.. She was an avid reader and participated in many book clubs. She moved to Houston in 1945 when her husband, Julian took a job at Standard Oil. Mary Jean taught elementary school in HISD for over 20 years. Her love and passion for learning touched many lives and she genuinely valued her time as an educator and was particularly focused on educating girls. She was part of the team for West Houston AAUW that created “Expanding Your Horizons," a science and math education program for middle school girls. She loved to sail and enjoyed the long sailing trips with her family during the summer when her girls were young. Other trips were to Colorado, California, and the Pacific Northwest to visit family and a number of summers in Spain studying Spanish.

She is preceded in death by her Brother, Franklin Lorimer Calkins; husband of 65 years, Julian Kingsbury Pawley; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Friend, M.D.; son-in-laws, Thomas W. Grady and William Bruckert; and her beloved dachshund, Frauline. Mary Jean is survived by her daughters, Martha Pawley Grady of Houston and Patricia L. Whiteside of Austin. She leaves behind three granddaughters: Jennifer Friend and husband, Philip; Allison Gryder and husband, Wesley; and Heather Sewell and husband, Wade; one grandson, Kevin Bruckert and wife, Courtney; four great-grandchildren; three nieces: Anne Pawley Tabb, Dee Pawley, and Vicki Calkins Bennett; and several great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank The Hampton staff for all the care they provided to Mary Jean during her time there.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 25th of January, in the chapel of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Katherine Picot, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care and Prayer Ministries, the Rev. Martha Frances, and the Rev. Pam Pawley Cottrell are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at The Hampton, 2929 Post Oak Boulevard in Houston

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Mary Jean Pawley may be directed to the West Houston AAUW Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 98045, Washington, D.C., 20090-8045, (with the required identifier, TX7037).