Mary Jane Kelly

Mary Jane Kelly, 73, of Stillwater passed from this life on July 24, 2013 with her loving family by her side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 27 at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel at 5106 N. Washington in Stillwater. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater.
Mary Jane Sandlin was born on April 18, 1940 in Henryetta, OK to Green Littleton and Lucille Rhoades Sandlin. She was raised and attended schools in Arkansas before relocating to Oklahoma in 1956. Mary Jane graduated from high school at the age of 16 and immediately began attending school at the University of Tulsa. She met and married Don Kelly and she was blessed with the 4 wonderful children: Kathleen, Sean, Dana, and Tracy. In 1965, Mary Jane moved to Cushing, OK and began a long career managing and owning several radio stations in Cushing, Blackwell, Ponca City, and Oregon. In 1975 Mary Jane founded the Show and Tell Times publication in Cushing. Following her divorce in 1980, Mary Jane moved to Stillwater and enrolled at Oklahoma State University majoring in Psychology.
In 1984 Mary Jane Kelly ran as the republican state representative candidate for the District 33. On July 5, 1984 Mary Jane married the love of her life, Dr. Samir Ahmed. She was a very active volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America, Ambucs, her local public schools, and she was an instrumental part of raising funds for local public safety and public health organizations. In 2001 Mary Jane retired from the radio stations so she could spend more time with her family.
When she was not working or volunteering, Mary Jane enjoyed going to museums to view Chinese and Egyptian art and artifacts, traveling to Egypt and Qatar with Samir, but her favorite pastime was nurturing her profound love for reading. Mary Jane was an assertive and passionate woman who was fiercely loyal and honest. Her gracious and generous demeanor won her many friends and her comforting presence made her home a favorite gathering place for many OSU students. Mary Jane Kelly will be remembered as an intelligent woman, a dedicated wife, a caring mother, a proud grandmother, and a trusted friend. She left an indelible mark on the lives of so many friends and she will truly be missed by all who were fortunate enough to call her a friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Kathleen; two brothers, Malcom and David; and a sister, Barbara. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Samir Ahmed; a sister, Lois Matuscak; a brother, Robin Land; three children, Tracy, Dana, and Sean; five grandchildren; Kayla, Aaron, Christian, Shannon, and Jasmine; and one great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Mary Janes name to the American Heart Association in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com.