In Memoriam
OPALGA acknowledges with sadness the passing of Mary Jane Beech, 68, on August 6, 2008. A celebration of Mary Jane’s life was held on August 16 at the Oak Park Conservatory.
As an advocate for women’s equality, Mary Jane was active in several organizations in Oak Park, including OPALGA. Many of us remember her participation in the semi-annual membership meetings, the book club meetings, the monthly potlucks, and other OPALGA programs.
Mary Jane received her Ph.D. in anthropology and sociology from Michigan State University in 1972 and then began a wide-ranging professional career. Part of her doctoral work was done at the American Institute for Indian Studies in Calcutta, and prior to that she was awarded a Hayes-Fulbright Scholarship to study the role of women in Bengali society. She returned to Bengal and other parts of India several times during her career. Over the course of her career, she taught anthropology, sociology, and women’s studies at several colleges in the Chicago area. She also worked part-time at the Lisle Public Library. In the later years of her career, she returned to her early interest in child development and taught children at Green Tree (later renamed Bright Horizons Esplanade) in Downer’s Grove.
Mary Jane shared a love of cooking, gardening, learning, and books with her many friends and her family.
OPALGA was fortunate to be among the numerous organizations that Mary Jane chose to support. On behalf of OPALGA, the editors of Empower extend sincere condolences to the many friends and family members whose lives she touched.
