Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Brown's Obituary
Mary Louise Brown, “Mary Lou”, longtime resident of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2012, at the age of 90, from complications of cancer. Mary Lou was born December 7, 1921, in Chilton, Texas, the oldest daughter of Everett and Estelle Mulkey. She grew up on her parent’s farm, eating homegrown vegetables and the delicious food her mother cooked on a wood stove. Mary Lou’s first job was delivering her mother’s hand-churned butter to local customers on her way to school. Mary Lou was an outstanding student, earning a scholarship to Texas State College for Women, which she attended for 2 years, working as a nanny to earn her room and board. The bombing of Pearl Harbor, marking the entrance of the US into WWII, happened on her 20th birthday. She followed her older brother James to work in Washington, DC, for the Department of Commerce. In addition, her fresh-faced good looks earned her several modeling jobs, and when she saw an ad for “Airline Hostess,” she thought that sounded far more exciting than her government work. She worked as a hostess for Pennsylvania Central Airlines for 2 years, until the unfortunate death of her brother brought her back to Texas, where she found employment in Dallas as a hostess for Braniff Airlines. Her photo appeared in their promotional literature, and she caught the eye of a station agent at Love Field, Bernard L. Brown, whom she married in October 1946. Their marriage lasted 47 years, and produced 3 children. When her children were of school age, Mary Lou worked as a secretary and executive assistant in the insurance industry, working for several firms in Dallas until her retirement in 1986, when her husband suffered a stroke. She cared for him, keeping him impeccably dressed and comfortable, until his death in 1994. They were long-time members of East Dallas Christian Church. Though she worked full-time, she still found time to type term papers for her children, sew costumes, keep her house immaculately clean, and be an excellent cook and baker. Mary Lou’s passion was her yard and garden, which was selected “Yard of the Month” on several occasions. She mowed her own lawn until the age of 85, when she developed breast cancer, and later, bladder cancer. She drove herself to nearly all of her radiation treatments. She never complained, and was always more concerned for others than for herself. She lived independently and drove, until 6 months ago, when her health necessitated a little help from caregivers. She was an example of dignity and quiet courage to her children and all who knew her, and will be greatly missed by her family and everyone she touched with her kindness. On her final day, she unhooked herself from the bed monitor that alerted the nurses if she’d gotten out of bed, and packed up all of her belongings in the room. She emptied the drawers and closet, folded everything neatly, and placed it onto 2 big plastic bags. That was typical of Mary Lou, keeping things neat and tidy until the end. She was ready to go. That evening, when talking to her son Brian, after he’d tucked her in, smoothed her hair, and kissed her, she said, “Tell Momma I’m coming home; it’s going to be okay.” She is survived by her sister, Natalie Early; her children: daughters Barbara Grajski, Beverly Brown and son-in-law John Crncich, and son Brian Brown; her grandchildren: Justine Grajski, Victor Grajski, and Meredith Brown; and four nieces. Her Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012, at 11 AM, in the chapel of East Dallas Christian Church, 629 N. Peak St., Dallas, TX 75246, with a reception following in the Great Hall. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to The Bridge Breast Network, 3600 Gaston Ave., Suite 401, Dallas, TX 75246, who assisted her with breast cancer treatment, or to the East Dallas Christian Church, her spiritual home for 66 years.
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