Mary Jean Odron

Mary Jean passed peacefully at home in Morada surrounded by family on August 3, 2021. She fought a courageous battle with cancer.

Mary Jean was born to Dr. Russell and Kathryn Howe in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa with a bachelor of arts degree.

She married her best friend and college sweetheart, Ed, the day after she graduated. They moved many times, from the Midwest to Washington D.C., but finally settled down in California.

She worked as an assistant editor for Scott Foresman Publishing in Chicago. Later she co-owned Black Hawk Advertising Agency in Davenport, Iowa. There she was in charge of marketing, creating tv, radio, and newspaper ads for the companies they represented. She also spent some time substitute teaching in the special needs classroom. Mary Jean and her husband bred champion afghan hounds and whippets. They showed their dogs all over the country and won many top awards. She served on the Afghan Club of America board of directors as well as the Northern California Whippet Fanciers Assoc. and an active member of San Joaquin Kennel Club. She was also a member of the Paws To Read program at the Lodi library with her whippets Patch and Finis. M.J., as she was referred to by her friends, enjoyed working and organizing social events with her friends. She was a very happy, hardworking, and outgoing person with a great smile.

In addition to all these other activities, she also ran the Odron household as Ed traveled all over the country with his job. She supported her children as team mom, in cub scouts, at school functions, and also ran the snack shack during little league games. Mary Jean spent many hours shuttling the boys to various football, baseball, and soccer games.

Mary Jean is survived by her husband Ed of 61 years, sons Rusty and his wife Kelly of Big Timber, MT, their children Andrew of Alpine, WY & Julie of Big Timber, MT; Scott and wife Kim of Denver CO and their children Jack & Emma; and her two great-grandchildren Spencer & Cora of Big Timber, MT.

She touched many hearts and will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will be announced later. Donations can be sent in her name to NCWFA Whippet Rescue at norcalwhippetrescue@gmail.com.