Mary Jane Armstrong

Mary Jane Whelan Armstrong passed away peacefully on December 14, 2025, after a year long battle with leukemia. She was born on February 6, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Jane and her sister, Joan, were the 2 daughters of Joe and Alice Whelan. During her early teen years, the family settled in Orange, Texas, where she graduated high school from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1960.

After high school, Jane began working full time while earning her Associates Degree from nearby Lamar University in Beaumont. Upon completing her degree, she took a job with the Orange Chamber of Commerce. Jane’s outgoing nature meant she was always on the go, and while out one evening she was introduced to Robert Armstrong. Bob and Jane would meet a second time a year later, and the rest was history. They married on April 16, 1965 and welcomed daughters Julie and Shelly over the next few years.

Jane spent time caring for her young family, accepting only small employment opportunities that allowed her to be home when her girls arrived home from school each day. She was active in their Catholic church, playing in bridge groups and the bowling league with Bob. In 1981, Bob’s job took the family to live in The Netherlands for the next 5 years. During their time in Europe, Jane’s love of travel blossomed, with many wonderful cities and art museums easily accessed by train rides of just a few short hours.

Bob and Jane returned to Houston after their time in Holland. Jane began playing more competitive bridge during the early 1990’s, discovering the world of bridge tournaments and master’s points. Soon, Bob’s work with Fluor took them for a second overseas assignment in Thailand. While there Jane learned to play a little golf, in an attempt to embrace her husband’s favorite hobby. When they moved back to Houston, Jane quickly abandoned her golf clubs for the air-conditioned comfort of the bridge table.

Bridge became her passion, and she studied hard to become competitive in the ACBL tournaments she entered with her partners. Jane always adored playing all kinds of games, particularly card and word games, and she was fiercely competitive. But her love of competitive bridge enriched her life in ways beyond the card table. Participating in the organization of the Houston Bridge Unit 174, traveling to tournaments, and taking bridge cruises filled her life with a delightful community of friends and many wonderful adventures. Jane achieved her goal of Diamond Life Master in 2018, through her success at many tournaments with her long-time partner and dear friend, Betty Starzec.

When not at the bridge table, Jane adored spending time with her family, particularly her precious 3 grandchildren, Margaret, Robert, and Christopher. She was so happy playing with them when they were small, and as they grew older she came to support them in their activities as much as she possibly could. Frequent family gatherings involved meals and a variety of games, as she passed down her love of games to her girls and their families.

Jane is survived by her daughter Julie, son-in-law Tom Downs and grandchildren Margaret and Robert; daughter Shelly, son-in-law Don Iacobell and grandson Christopher, and her sister, Joan Hines, and nephews Joe and Jeff and their families, along with so many cherished friends. She was preceded in death by Bob, her loving husband of 57 years, and by her parents.

A memorial service and reception will be held on January 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Settegast-Kopf at 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jane’s memory can be made to the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Educational Foundation or to the American Cancer Society.