Mary Jane Butler Dodson

Mary Jane Butler Dodson, 66, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died Tuesday afternoon, February 6, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was in her home that she loved, surrounded by the family who loved her. Mary Jane was born May 9, 1940, in Scottsbluff, Neb, to Walter and Florence Butler. Her family moved to Fort Collins in 1950 where she graduated from Fort Collins H.S. in 1958 after being elected homecoming queen and “most typical” in her class; and from Colorado State Univ. in 1962 where she was an active member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and majored in Business Admin. In 1961 she married Jon Dodson, of Fort Collins, and in 1963 they moved to Minneapolis, Minn. where sons Sean and Kevin were born; followed by a move to San Mateo, Calif., in 1969, where they welcomed twin daughters, Kris and Kim. In 1976 the family moved to Roseburg, Ore., where Mary Jane remained until 1991, when she returned to Fort Collins. Mary Jane will be remembered for the impact she had on the people around her. As an elementary school librarian, and later a research librarian for the USGS Fort Collins Science Ctr., she lived her passion for helping people and introducing new ideas, but most important, she became the “heart” of each of these communities where she was known to be a genuine friend, avid listener, and counselor. One of Mary Jane’s greatest gifts was her ability to develop and maintain friendships from various activities, including Community Bible Study, SASSY investment club, CSU football games, and as a member of the First Presbyterian Church. A lover of the outdoors, she cherished time spent at her brother’s cabin at Red Feather, trips to the Oregon Coast, and quiet weekends working in her garden among her flowers and very well-fed birds and squirrels. Mary Jane maintained a deep faith and taught people to recognize the good in others and be grateful for the blessings in everyday life. All who knew her will miss her dearly. Mary Jane believed the greatest gift of her life was her family. She is survived by her children Sean (Jerre Kosta) Dodson of Prineville, Ore., Kevin Dodson of New York, NY, Kristine (Sean) Morrison and granddaughter Erin Morrison of Portland, Ore., and Kimberly Dodson of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother Rod (Barbara) Butler of Lakewood, Colo.; nieces Molly (David) Law and Aimee Copp, both of Littleton, Colo. and nephew Nathan Butler of Frederick, MD. A celebration of Mary Jane’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 26, at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County in care of Allnutt Funeral Chapel, 650 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins, Colo. 80526.