Mary Brumback

Mary Helen Brumback, who, along with her beloved husband, Roger Alan Brumback, tragically died in Omaha, Nebraska in May 2013. Mary was an amazing person and so full of life, but she was taken from us too soon. Mary was 65 years old. Mary was born in Richland, Washington in 1947 to Harry and Dorothy Skinner. She grew up primarily in Arlington, Virginia. Her family relocated to Bethel Park, Pennsylvania where she attended Bethel Park Senior High School and graduated in1965. Mary was a remarkable student in high school as she was involved in the Student Council, Science Club, Math Honor Society, Gymnastics, Marching Band, French Club, and The National Honor Society. Mary then attended The Pennsylvania State University where she met Roger, her future husband. She transferred to University of Pittsburgh and earned her B.S. degree in Pharmacology. Mary worked as a pharmacist in Baltimore while her husband was a doing a residency at Johns Hopkins University. Next they moved to St. Louis where she gave birth to her first child, while Roger did an additional residency. Then they moved back east to Rockville, Maryland, where Roger worked in Bethesda at the National Institute of Health. As both Mary and her husband wanted to be near family, they chose to live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Roger started his initial medical practice in nearby Wilkins Township. Throughout the years Mary, Roger, and their family loved to visit with their relatives in Monroeville, Pennsylvania at Christmas time as it was an extremely joyful time for all. Mary was a devoted wife to Roger and loving mother to their children. Mary and her family especially enjoyed visiting the abundant museums and art galleries, the Pittsburgh Zoo, historical sites, Kennywood Park and the multitude of cultural venues in Pittsburgh. As a result of Roger’s career, Mary and her family got the opportunity to live and explore many different localities across the country. Eventually, they chose to settle in Norman, Oklahoma. While living in Norman, Mary earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. She then practiced family law in Norman for several years. Prior to her getting a law degree, Mary also helped Roger as an editor of many of his publishing endeavors, including his many medical publications and journals. Mary co-authored a book with her husband, titled “The Dietary Fiber Weight Control Handbook.” For many years while in Oklahoma, Mary and her children would make homemade fudge as gifts for family, friends, and her husband’s co-workers at Christmas time. One year she made about 160 pounds of fudge with the help of her children. Her fudge was such a delightful treat for all. Of course, Mary’s favorite food was “chocolate.” Mary also prided herself in making baked goods from scratch. She used natural ingredients in her cooking endeavors, such as in her scrumptious homemade apple pies, pecan pies, and baklava. In 2001, Mary and Roger moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where Roger took the position of Chairman of the Pathology Department at Creighton University Medical Center. While in Omaha, Mary belonged to the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), other women's organizations, and volunteered at the Service League Gift Shop at Creighton University. Mary enjoyed cooking and gardening, and visiting long-lost relatives found through Roger’s and her genealogy research. Mary devoted herself fulltime to accompanying Roger in his academic pursuits, medical conferences, and other travel adventures. As Mary was an avid art enthusiast, she visited as many art museums and galleries as possible during their world-wide travel together. With the impending retirement of her husband from Creighton University, Mary was looking forward to their new adventure of life in Lewisburg, West Virginia and to be closer to her relatives. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Harry Skinner, Lt. Col. Ret. She is survived by her mother, Dorothy Skinner (Columbia, MD), her mother-in-law, Frances N. Brumback (Monroeville, PA), her sister, Julia Kommers and husband, Richard (Annapolis, MD), and by nephews Eugenio Estinto (Leesburg, VA), Eduardo Estinto (Bethesda, MD); and niece, Ethel (Columbia, MD), her sister-in-law, Carol Jean Brumback (Middletown, MD), and by numerous loving family members. Friends will be received at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Eastmont, 1229 Jefferson Heights Road, Pittsburgh (Wilkins Township), PA from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday June 22, 2013 followed by the memorial service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Linda Theophilus officiating. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at the Restland Memorial Park, Monroeville, PA. Arrangements entrusted to the GENE H. CORL INC.FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATION SERVICES OF MONROEVILLE. The celebration of the lives of Mary and Roger will follow at the Garden City Banquet Hall (Garden City Volunteer Fire Department), 600 Garden City Drive, Monroeville, PA. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to one of the following: Philanthropic Educational Organization Service organization supporting women’s education Donate online at peointernational.org Checks to “Cottey College” in memory of Mary Brumback; Institutional Advancement, Cottey College, 1000 West Austin, Nevada, Missouri 64772 Penn State Hershey College of Medicine Donate online at giveto.pennstatehershey.org (717) 531-8497 Please designate the Dr. Roger and Mary Brumback Alzheimer’s Disease Memorial Scholarship.

Mary Brumback

June 19, 2013