Mary Jane Armour

Mary Jane Armour, age 82, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 7, 1938 in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of John Eugene and Mary Elizabeth (Harlan) Thornberry. She was married in Jefferson City, Mo. to William Howard Armour, who survives in the home. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Mary Jane was a 1956 graduate of Jefferson City High School and graduated from Jefferson City Junior College with an associate's degree. After graduating, Mary Jane started her professional career at the Jefferson Building with the Department of Revenue. Mary Jane possessed the ability to multi-task extremely well and had an amazing attention to detail. She began her career as an executive secretary with Judge James T. Riley, a longtime Cole County Prosecutor and Circuit Judge. Mary Jane later served as the executive secretary to the Vice President of United Telephone Company and retired from the Missouri State Legislative Research where she worked tirelessly proofing all House Bills. Mary Jane enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. She and William were part of a camping club and traveled extensively throughout Colorado, Wyoming and the Grand Tetons. She was able to see the most beautiful scenery in North America and met the most interesting people on these journeys. She was a very social person and had a good time wherever she went. With a ready smile on her face, people were drawn to Mary Jane, and she brought out the best in everyone. She loved people, especially her neighbors who she thought of as family. Family came first to Mary Jane. She loved her family dearly and they all knew they were the most important part of her life. Survivors include: her husband, William; four sons, Barry Armour (wife Norma) of Liberty, Mo., Terry Armour (wife Lynn), Cary Armour (wife Lori), and Sean Armour (special friend Michelle Shikles), all of Jefferson City, Mo.; one daughter, Kelli Dickey (husband Jim) of Eugene, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Ashley Armour, Adam Armour, Carson Armour, Hayden Armour, Sarah Mengwasser (husband Paul), Dylan Armour, Austin Dickey, and Jaiden Dickey; three great-grandchildren, Allison, Sam, and Jack Mengwasser; one brother-in-law, Everett Lee of Kansas City, Mo.; several nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her father, John Thornberry; her mother and step-father, Mary Elizabeth and William Franke; her sister, Shirley Lee; and two nieces, Cheryl Lee Bestvater and Dayna Lee Masters. Mary Jane's wishes were to have her body received as a gift to the University of Missouri's Anatomical Board to help their research efforts in finding a cure for cancer or other diseases. Due to the pandemic, a private family service will be held at a later date. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe Street, Suite 100, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. www.freemanmortuary.com