Mary Jane Hamilton

Mary Jane Hamilton, 92, of Topeka passed away Monday, June 4th, 2007. She was born December 6, 1914 at St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the daughter of Charles Wesley Huston and Ella Rose Frederika Spitznagle Huston. She graduated from Central High in Sioux City, Iowa in 1933 and attended college at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where she received a B.A. in English. She moved to Kansas City, Mo. in 1940 and worked at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co. building engines for the Bomber aircraft used in W.W. II. In 1941 she married Earl William Schmidt and in 1942 had a son -Hud. That marriage ended in 1950. After leaving Pratt & Whitney she worked for Sears in the accounting dept. Later she worked for and then managed the Luce Press Clipping Bureau in KC, Mo. In 1954 she and Hud moved to Topeka. On May 5th, 1956 she married Jack M. Hamilton. He survives. Then, until her retirement in 1985, she was the home economist (REDI-KILOWATT) for KP&L. In that position she traveled Kansas giving cooking and lighting demonstrations to schools, businesses, and groups that came to the KP&L building. She also introduced and demonstrated the first Microwave oven. After her retirement, she worked 10 years as a District Aide for Congressman Jim Slattery. She was also president of the Silver Haired Congress, giving her the opportunity to travel the US and to Washington DC to give speeches and hold meetings to help people understand Medicare and other policies concerning aging. After that she went to work for the Department of Health and Human Services as a program relations specialist at the Federal Building in KC, Mo. She commuted daily in her red Firebird until she decided not to drive anymore (87) . The carpooled in a van until walking became a problem, (previously had both hips replaced). Then continued working at home via computer until retiring at age 89. She and Jack were very active in the Arab Shrine. They also were in the antique business and traveled doing shows. She had an extensive collection of antique lace and was also an avid bobbin lace maker herself. She and her husband, Jack, enjoyed traveling including trips to England where she acquired much of her lace collection. She is survived by her husband Jack Hamilton, son Hud, Carol Hamilton, one granddaughter Kelly Marie Hamilton Demo and her husband Gar Demo, two grandsons Hudson Huston Hamilton Jr. and Lonnie Lee Hamilton. Two great grandchildren Riley and Asher Demo. Also, one sister, Betty May Mitchel of St. Louis , Mo. She was preceded in death by her brother Charles (Chuck) Wesley Huston Jr. and a sister Jeannie Elizabeth Gieselmann. Mary Jane was an active member of St. Davids Episcopal Church, serving for several years on the outreach committee. A memorial service will be held at Grace Cathedral, 701 W 8th, Topeka, Sunday, June 10th, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the St. Davids Rebuilding Fund at 3916 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS 66604. Mary Hamilton