Mary Brown

MARY JANE BROWN IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Mary Jane Brown, 88, of Idaho Falls, died January 6, 2008, at Idaho Falls Health & Rehabilitation. She was born September 15, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Frank Morris Milliken and Chloe Rose Hunter Milliken. She worked in the motion picture industry as an extra and in bit parts beginning at age four. She attended Bancroft Jr. High and Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. She designed and sewed costumes for Beverly Hills High School. She married Charles Elkin Brown January 8, 1939, in Hollywood, California. They made their home in Hollywood, where she raised two sons. In 1979, she and her husband moved to Idaho Falls. In 1983, she helped develop and operate the costume design department for the Idaho Falls Opera Theater, now known as “Mary Jane’s.” She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include: Son: Charles (Mary Elizabeth) Brown, Idaho Falls, ID Son: David E. (Dolly) Brown, Palmdale, CA Brother: James Hunter (Carmela) Milliken, Hemet, CA 7 Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, one granddaughter and one grandson. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, with Bishop Neil E. Russell of the Idaho Falls LDS Boulevard Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends on Saturday for one hour prior to services. ------------------------------------ Condolences Received Online: Catherine Majumdar Your mom was a great lady and we at Opera Theater all benefitted from her knowledge and wisdom. We will truly miss her. Sherry Newell (Shick) newesher@yahoo.com I loved Mary Jane so much- she was a wonderful person and very important to me. My life has been richer for knowing her. She was such a good friend to me. I'm sorry I couldn't be to her funeral, but she was in my thoughts all day. I'm so glad I knew her. Dieter Knecht knechtd@aol.com Our sincere condolences to Mary Jane's family for loss of such a wonderful person. We were out of the country and couldn't attend the funeral to pay our last respects. Mary Jane will always be remembered for all she did for the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, and especially for us who she dressed and checked out how we looked on stage. She cheerfully told it like it was when we asked a favor in costume selection and fitting and was overly generous to help. We were always fascinated by her career as a child actress and continuing adventures beyond. It was a pleasure to have known her and we miss her very much. Dieter and Peggy Knecht