Mary Jean Wilson

Mary Jean Wilson

Mary Jean Wilson, 85, Sundance, Wyo., died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at Crook County Long Term Care in Sundance. She was born July 16, 1926, a member of the third generation of a Wyoming pioneer family, to Eugene P. and Marie V. (Lipe) Willson in Douglas, Wyo. Mary Jean earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Wyoming in 1949. She then married Charles Malcolm Wilson in 1950.

Mary Jean held various jobs throughout the years, teaching English in Japan in the late 1950's; she also taught in Alliance, Neb. from 1968-70, and then taught in Sundance in the 1970's-80's. During the years in Sundance, she was a correspondent for the Sundance Times and the Casper Star-Tribune. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary #3511, Wyoming Writers Association and Bear Lodge Writers. She enjoyed writing and she wrote two books: "Under the Temple of the Sioux" for the Sundance Centennial in 1987 and a history of the Episcopal Church in Sundance. She also contributed to "In the Shadow of the Bear Lodge," a historical and creative anthology. She also enjoyed photography, painting, gardening, travel, and playing organ, clarinet, and violin. Mary Jean was a member of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Sundance, where she served as lay reader, choir member, bell choir member and was active in the Episcopal Women's Guild.

Mary Jean is survived by her children; Charles Eugene (Janet), League City, Texas; Thomas Malcolm (Marty), Tucson, Ariz.; Steven Edward (Tracy), Sundance, Wyo.; Susan Joy (Mike) Fraser, David Gary (Lana), all of Issaquah, Wash.; and Daniel Scott of Sundance, Wyo.; her grandchildren; Erin Gentry, Adam Wilson, Kimberlee Kaitlin Wilson, Kourtney Kelee Wilson, all of Tucson, Ariz.; Joe Wilson, Robert Wilson, David Daly, Tabitha Daly and Dalton Wilson, all of Sundance, Wyo.; Geoffrey Fraser, Travis AFB, Calif.; Gregory Fraser, San Diego, Calif. and Patrick Fraser, Fort Drum, NY; great-grandchildren; Sage Rylee Wells, Zoey Wilson, Peyton Wilson, Justin Daly, Zyler Daly, Trent Fraser, Corin Fraser, Gavin Fraser, Malachi Fraser and Ariana Fraser; brother; George Willson, Loveland, Colo.; and sisters; Phyllis Hahn, Lusk, Wyo. and June Read, Greensboro, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a brother, James V. Willson.

Memorial Services for Mary Jean will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal in Sundance. Inurnment will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Sundance.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts and Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.

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