Mary K. Brown

Mary Katherine Brown, age 77 of Casper, Wyoming passed away on May 3, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She died at the Central Wyoming Hospice Center surrounded by her daughters.

Mary K. was born in Salina, Kansas on March 20, 1940 to the late Edgar and Marion Heyl, the second of three children. She attended Wallace County High School in Sharon Springs, Kansas and graduated in May of 1958. She then pursued higher education at Kansas State University and received her Bachelor of Sciences in Medical Technology with a minor in Chemistry in 1962. Upon completion of her degree, she moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1963 and began work at the Wyoming Medical Center as a medical technologist before marrying the love of her life, Norman James Brown, on November 30, 1964. Following their marriage, Mary K. quit work to raise their three beautiful daughters but continued her education while doing so, receiving a Bachelor of the Arts in secondary education from the University of Wyoming in 1985. While being a stay at home mother was something Mary K. treasured and valued, even still she balanced both motherhood and education with stunning capability. She returned to Sharon Springs, Kansas where she taught science and social studies to 7th and 8th grade students and often referred to the joy that her teachings days brought her. She returned to Casper in 1989 and resumed her work as a medical technologist before retiring in June of 2005.

Mary K. spent her free time doing beadwork and creating beautiful jewelry. She loved hiking and bird watching, always fascinated and involved with the outdoors. She spent time gardening and tutoring her grandchildren, which she and they treasured. She valued education and the necessity of its presence in her children and grandchildren's lives. She was an active and selfless church member and Christian, and with the utmost humility valued service to others, most especially her family. Mary K. was a bright, strong and humble woman whose mark upon the world was unique. She valued independence and self-sufficiency, and always put others before herself, a quality admired and adored by her children and grandchildren.

Mary K. was preceded in death by her parents, husband Norman James Brown, her two nephews- Leland Heyl and Richie Heyl, respectively, Edna Heyl, sister-in-law, and Steven Canepa, son-in-law. She is survived by her brothers: Richard and Guy (Kathy) Heyl and her numerous and beautiful nieces and nephews, her three daughters: Katie Brown and Marie Yates of Casper, Wyoming, and Melissa Westman and son-in-law Wade Westman of Gillette, Wyoming. Her grandchildren: David Brown and Andrew, Haleigh, Jordan and Kaden Westman of Gillette, Wyoming, Taylor Yates of San Diego, California, Alyssa Canepa of Casper Wyoming, and Mathieu, Noah, Daniel and Adam Yates of Casper, Wyoming.

Funeral services for Mary Kay Brown will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the Anglican Church of Resurrection, 342 S. Grant Street in Casper, Wyoming. Internment services will be at the Highland Park Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the Anglican Church of Resurrection church hall.

Donations can be made to Central Wyoming Hospice Center of Casper, Wyoming in lieu of memorial gifts.

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