A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Mary Jane Lange
From the San Antonio Express-News, 7 Sep 2007:
Mary J. Green
Mary Jane Green passed away peacefully on September 6th. Mary Jane was a creative and passionate woman who loved, and was loved, deeply by her family and friends. Mary Jane Green was born on August 15, 1922, in Karnes County, Texas, to Alma and Fritz Lange. She grew up on a small farm and was the last of nine brothers and sisters who included Minnie, Charlie, Bertha, Ernst, August, Elise, Ella, and Alfred. As a child, she and her brothers and sisters worked hard to please their demanding father, picking cotton for 5 cents per 100-lb bag to pay for school supplies and clothes. In 1938, Mary Jane moved to San Antonio. She worked for the Alamo National Bank for six years and for the Federal Reserve Bank (where she was chief operator of the IBM machines) for another six years. Mary Jane met her future husband, Leo R. Green, on a train trip to New York City in June of 1950. They were married on August 11, 1951, at the WAF Chapel at Lackland Air Force Base. She and Leo lived in San Antonio and had four children: twins -- Leo Blaine (born 1953, died 1978) and Wayne (stillborn), Mary Lynn (born 1954), and Jeanette Kay (born 1956). Mary Jane was a devoted mother who dedicated her life to her family and home. Mary Jane could always make something beautiful out of nothing. Her artistic talents were reflected in everything she did. She learned millinery and made her own hats, she designed and sewed most of her own clothes and those worn by her children, and she arranged flowers from her backyard garden. She had an innate ability to put colors and shapes together and capture beauty from the world around her. In 1971, Mary Jane began art lessons focusing on oil painting. Her artistic abilities developed rapidly and by 1977, she began teaching oil painting to senior citizens through continuing education at San Antonio College and the AARP. She enjoyed sharing herself and her artistic talents with her students (numbering over 100) and was greatly loved by them. She taught art classes until 1995. Mary Jane painted a variety of subject matter but will be most remembered for her South Texas landscapes with blue bonnets, Indian paintbrush, and live oak trees (often reminiscent of the location where she grew up). Mary Jane was a member of the Trinity Art League. She displayed her work at many art shows around the San Antonio area as well as in the homes of many family members and friends. During the last years of her life, Mary Jane suffered from microvascular dementia and was lovingly cared for by her husband of 56 years. Mary Jane is preceded in death by her beloved sons. She is survived by her husband, Leo R. Green; her older daughter, Mary Wilson Green and husband, Michael Wilson; younger daughter, Jeanette Stehr-Green and her husband, Paul Stehr-Green; her grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth Wilson and William Blaine Wilson; her sister, Elise Fenner; and her much-loved nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Merrill Gardens for the loving care of their wife and mother over the last 6 months, in particular, Trish Ramey -- a devoted nurse who was ALWAYS there for us, no matter the day or time. Also, we will be forever grateful for the staff of the VITAS Hospice team for their round-the-clock care during the last two weeks of Mary Jane's life. SERVICE The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 8, at 10:00 at Mission Park North. Mary Jane loved flowers, but if a friend or family would like, donations may be made in Mary Jane's honor to the Salvation Army, 1324 S. Flores, San Antonio, TX, 78204. (Mary Jane and her daughters and close friends loved shopping at their thrift stores for good deals!)
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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