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Jayne Ikard Obituary
Ikard died Friday from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Washington, according to her son, Bryan Brumley, a former Associated Press bureau chief.
Born Mary Jane Keegan, Ikard changed her name to Jayne because she liked how it looked. She studied journalism at Boston University, and in 1951 married Calvin Brumley, whom she met at the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.
The couple followed Calvin Brumley's career to Denver, New York, Jacksonville, Fla., and Boston, where Ikard wrote a column for the Boston Herald. In 1964, she became head of Newsweek's Boston bureau, where she covered national political stories, including Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign and funeral and the aftermath of Chappaquiddick and Sen. Edward Kennedy.
Ikard was appointed director of public relations for t he newly created President's Council on Environmental Quality in 1969 and after her husband's death in 1972, she wrote in a Saturday Evening Post story that she was determined "to become the best informed female international environmentalist."
She met former U.S. Rep. Frank Ikard during a trip to Stockholm for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. The president of the American Petroleum Institute was also in town for the conference and the night after they were introduced, the couple flew to Copenhagen for dinner on a whim.
"We talked and we talked and we talked, with me acting as though I'd taken some kind of truth serum," Jayne Ikard later wrote. "I even told him my age, my correct age, before the first course."
They were married weeks later in Austin, Texas. The couple lived in Washington until Frank Ikard's death in 1991, hosting many events at their Kalorama home with a mix of politicians, diplomats and journalists.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
19 Entries
William Shelton
January 30, 2024
Mrs. Ikard was a great friend. I remember talking her into moving from the Watergate to the Georgetown so long ago.
I miss her a great deal. She always called me Bill.
I was by her bedside as she was dying. I hope that she is resting in peace.
Michael Young
April 15, 2011
My deepest sympathy is extended to the Ikard family in the passing of my dear Mrs. Ikard. Our association began with her calling the Hearst Newspapers, Washington Bureau where I was employed.
I found Mrs. Ikard to be a warm and caring individual who often spoke of her son and grandsons with great admiration. She always insisited that I refer to her simply as Jayne and after much conversation about it I finally did. Although I was never comfortable with it, she told me, "get over it Michael".
I will never forget Ms. Ikard's style, class and great sence of humor. I thank God for being lucky to be acquainted with such a wonderful person, Rest well dear friend.
Mike Davis
October 25, 2010
To the Ikard Family: I just learned of Mrs Ikard's passing and wanted to send my condolences. For many years, I was in charge of the parties the Ikards gave in their Kalorama home. I was also invited to their beautiful home in Martha's Vineyard and enjoyed my stay in their historic boathouse. Mr Ikard was a brilliant and kind man, with many fascinating stories. I was shocked and saddened when I received the phone call about his sudden death. Mrs Ikard was one of the top hostesses in DC and spent a great deal of time planning her events down to the smallest detail. At the time, all the "movers and shakers" in DC wanted to be on their guest list. The Ikards had wonderful dinner parties and I have many fond memories of those times. Both of them are greatly missed. My thoughts and sympathy are with all of you.
KAN
September 7, 2010
Please accept my sincere condolences. You don't have to know the person or the family to know the pain that people feel when they lose someone in death because somewhere down the road, we have all been there. In the meantime, though, we can be assured that our loving Father will help us to endure the burden of our aches and pains because 'he cares for us.'
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Melody Miller
September 4, 2010
Jayne was a loyal friend and cared so much about our country and good government. She was kind to those of us coming along in public service and included me in a number of her wonderful dinner parties. We had many a lunch with good laughs over the years. I admired her as a fine journalist and for being the first woman to be the Bureau Chief at Newsweek. She loved to share mutual political war stories, especially about the Kennedy family for whom I worked. She had a great friendship with RFK and admired him so very much. We talked on the phone quite regularly about many current events and also her sadness at the death of EMK and her hopes for his policies. Jayne and I agreed that she had a great run. She did it well and with integrity, and I will always appreciate her thoughtfulness and kindness towards me. My deepest sympathies to her family and grandchildren, whom she loved so much and raved about. She was so proud of all of you and she will be greatly missed by those of us who had the pleasure of knowing her over these past and memorable decades. She was a part of it all! My thoughts and prayers will be with her and all of you. - Melody Miller
Reed Family
September 4, 2010
May the God of all comfort who see your tears and pain of heart give you the needed strength to endure. For He is with those who are crushed at heart,and those crushed in spirit He saves.
September 3, 2010
Floyd Seebron & Family Jewett, Illinois
~y
September 3, 2010
Sad when someone dies. Find comfort and peace in the days ahead knowing that God will wipe out every tear from our eyes.
B Johnson
September 1, 2010
there is nothing more wonderful than knowing that we have the opporunity of seeing our loved ones again.only the God of all comfort can provide that reassurance
Ledbetter Family
September 1, 2010
To the Family:
We were greatly saddened by your loss and wanted to express our deepest condolences to you. May the God of all comfort be with you at this time. He promises to be near to those that are crushed in spirit and those who are broken at heart he saves. May your many fond memories bring warmth to your hearts and smiles to your faces for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Shelby Long
September 1, 2010
May the "God of all comfort" be with you as you cope with your loss.
Lester Hyman
September 1, 2010
Brian: May the prayers and good wishes of your many friends sustain and comfort you at this time. Jayne was a dear friend whose loyalty and acute mind were treasured by me for so many years. Les Hyman
August 31, 2010
My condolences to family and loved ones. May the "God of all comfort" be with you as you cope with your loss.
August 31, 2010
To the Ikard family:
May the comfort from family and friends continue to strengthen you, and may you find comfort in the words found in the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
May the wonderful memories of your loved one continue to provide a measure of comfort to you--until God's promises are fulfilled. Matthew 5:5; Psalms 37:11, 29
martin garbisu
August 31, 2010
AUGUST 31 2010
TO THE IKARD FAMILY SINCERE CONDOLENCE WE HAVE MANY WONDERFUL DAYS AT THE JOCKEY CLUB MARTIN.
Victoria~Andrew
August 31, 2010
So sorry to hear of Jayne
Our condolences to thier family
many circle of friends.
talent of humor way to teach,
write office is empty work is done..
So long GodBless you~
Dub Sullivan
August 31, 2010
To Bill Ikard and Family:
Bill,very sorry to learn of the loss of your step mother.....from what I read, she was quite accomplished with a great sense of humor....and quite a classy lady. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Dub Sullivan
LB
August 30, 2010
When we lose a loved one in death, ones heart certainly becomes crushed and strength within is low but know that our Heavenly Father is with such ones for (Isaiah 57:15) states: "In the height and in the holy place is where I reside, also with the one crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly ones and to revive the heart of the ones being crushed."
August 30, 2010
To the Ikard family ......God will actually swallow up death forever. This is a promise God made and we can be sure he will kept it. my deepest condolence
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