Mary Jane McCune
Oct. 22, 1915-Dec. 30, 2017
Portola Valley, CA
Submitted by Ned McCune

Mary Jane McCune, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, died peacefully in Portola Valley on December 30, 2017. She was born in Bladensburg, Maryland, just across the Anacostia River from our nation's capitol,on October 22, 1915 to James and Ruby Chowning. He worked for the US State Department and she was a homemaker. Two years later, she was blessed with twin sisters, Catherine and Caroline. Caroline died in the diphtheria epidemic of 1920, but Catherine survived to age 96. Both sisters lived together, or in proximity, their whole lives, binding their two families into one. These bonds have made the many cousins into brothers and sisters today and for all time. The Chowning family left for a warmer, drier climate in 1921, settling first in Pomona, California and three years later in San Pedro, where James worked at the US Customs office. Mary graduated from San Pedro High School in 1933. Her good grades earned her a scholarship to Whittier College, but her heart was set on a singing career. James and Ruby were reluctant to let their 18-year-old daughter live on her own, but finally they acceded to her desire. In Washington, D. C., and later in Philadelphia, she studied under voice coaches, including the renowned Lillian Fairchild Jesso. Sister Catherine joined her in 1935 to continue her modeling career. For three years they roomed together, pooled their earnings and dreamed of stardom. There was no surrender in their decision to return to California. Mary sang at every opportunity, from weddings to memorials. While performing with a live orchestra at a garden party in Glendale in July, 1941 she met the love of her life, Roland. He was a manufacturer’s representative in San Francisco. He embodied the city’s reputation for style and sophistication. He arranged for a Labor Day weekend triple date: he was Mary’s, and he found dates for Catherine and friend Ann. On this whirlwind of fancy nightclubs he said to Mary in perfect certitude, “I’m going to marry you!” And so it was that by Thanksgiving they were wed. Two weeks later, Catherine married Ed Hannay, her Labor Day date. The sisterhood was born when children arrived for both in 1944. Roland and Mary settled in Redwood City, while Catherine remarried and settled in Atherton. Their families were together at countless birthday, Christmas, graduation and other celebrations of life’s milestones. Mary sang her whole life. Able to accompany herself on the piano, she loved opera and Broadway show tunes. She had a lovely soprano voice, clear and strong. Her bond with Roland was doubly strengthened by their faith in Jesus Christ. They joined the First Christian Church of Redwood City, where she sang in the choir, often as a soloist. When her voice began to falter late in life, she retired to the congregation to sing there. They had two children: Ned, b. 1944 and Jennifer, b. 1952 and d. 2008. Thirty-two years a widow, Mary made many new friends and traveled the whole world. The hardships and surprises she encountered only made a trip more fun. She returned with pictures and film that will be a family treasure as long as we exist. Mary is survived by her son, Ned, grandson Dan, grand daughter Natasha Browne and great grand children Skylar Rose and Hayden Mac. Burial was at Alta Mesa Cemetery on January 9, followed later that day with a memorial at Menlo Church.