Mary Thomton Brown

is honored with a Brick from Elizabeth Bennett and Jane Means.

1890-1989

As Tevya said in Fiddler on the Roof: "TRADITION TRADITION TRADITION! This is so important, especially in a family."

Mary's mother came to Wichita by train from Illinois in the 1880s, and she and her sister became respected dressmakers and milliners in this pioneer city. At an early age, she was widowed with two small girls to raise.

One of her priorities was education, and she encouraged Mary to seek a career to give her a fuller life, one with independence. With choices being so limited for women, our mother chose teaching, and started right out of high school in a country school, living with cousins who drove her a mile in the morning and started a wood fire in the classroom for her. This one-room center of learning was quite a distance from Wichita way out at Central and Webb Road!! When this building was eventually torn down in 1995, we kept a couple bricks as souvenirs.

She then moved into teaching in city schools while still earning credit hours towards a degree during the summers. After ten years of this pattern, she graduated from Fairmount College in 1923. The same summer she married Nicholas F. Brown, a gregarious salesman who had come to Wichita from his home in Wisconsin. However, teachers were not allowed to be married, so she retired. But during the second World War, when there was a frantic need for qualified substitutes, she was very much in demand.

By the 1950's, Fairmount had become Wichita University. Mary announced one day that she'd enjoy going to a football game because she'd never had the opportunity to attend one during her student years. Arrangements were made for her to attend a game with a group, and she carried an ancient charcoal footwarmer to the game, which made nearby spectators look for something to be on the grill!

While Mary was in her early 20's, her mother bought the third or maybe fourth automobile in Wichita, and Mary became the "designated driver." Granted, it was some time before she mastered reverse, but she had quickly discovered how to go forward and cut around corners. This was an apt description of her lifestyle, too. Not that she didn't have memories and connections with where she had been, but her interest was more in where she was going and what was ahead. She kept this inquiring attitude her entire life and was still driving in her early 90's.

Her family was always aware that her expertise was not in "Home Ec" skills (probably from a lack of interest), but her "people skills" were excellent, and she would have been a natural for marketing and/or PR work. Although she took no business courses, she became very adept at handling real estate and other business matters.

Education was only one piece of the puzzle. Her Catholic background gave her a great interest and involvement in her church, and her Irish ancestors passed along an inclination for music, dancing and fun. In fact, it was a highlight when she visited cousins in Ireland. This occurred when she was 87 years old and still ready for new adventures.

This rounded personality allowed her to juggle many challenges at the same time, but we knew we were the center and most important facet. She enjoyed seeing us graduate from Wichita University, and also knowing that her grandchildren have followed in her footsteps there. Motivated by her love and our gratitude, we trust future generations will continue this tradition.

Submitted by Jane Brown Means & Elizabeth Brown Bennett

July 28, 1998 (for Mary Thornton Brown)