Obituary for Mary “Jane” Tawney
Mary “Jane” Tawney, of Bullhead City AZ, passed peacefully in her sleep on June 7, 2025 at the age of 90.
Jane was born in Kirksville MO, on July 15, 1934, graduating in Sioux City IA from East High (’52) and Morningside College (’55) with her BA in Art. She went on to earn her MFA in Art from Louisiana Tech., and her PhD. in Art from Arizona State U.
Jane served as Teacher of Music and Art at all academic levels, and soon found herself as Mentor to New Teachers at Humboldt State University in Arcata CA. At the culmination of her career, she held the office of Dean of Research and Development at the College of the Redwoods in Eureka CA.
As a long-time resident of Hydesville CA, Jane participated in many community organizations such as the Fortuna Garden Club, the Fortuna Lunch Bunch, the American Association of University Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and PEO in Eureka. Through her work at both Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods, Jane made many life-long friends and co-conspirators in her shopping and traveling adventures.
Jane was a sprightly soul with a sharp wit and a passion for the finer things in life. She was an avid artist who loved creating and collecting clothing, jewelry, purses, and art, as well as designing many of her own homes, including her favorite in Baja California.
Among her most cherished memories were of her travels to Europe, Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, and Mexico. She spent the golden years of her life in Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City AZ where she was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, PEO, the Republican Women’s Society, and Unity of the Mohave Valley.
She is preceded in death by her parents George W. and Geraldine R. Tawney (nee Stockton) of Sioux City IA, her sister Martha Cox (nee Tawney) of Rolfe IA, her husband Thomas E. McCorkendale of Lake Havasu City AZ, and her eldest daughter Kerry Monier (nee O’Meara) of Victoria TX. She leaves behind her daughters Leslie O’Meara and Cynthia Sanders (nee O’Meara) , her son Thomas O’Meara, her granddaughters Lauren, Jacqueline, Lily, and Tawney, her grandsons Gerard, Dylan, and Samuel, and her great-granddaughters Sophia, Isabella, and Allison. She also leaves behind her nephew James Cox, and nieces Paula Cooke (nee Cox), and Kathy Johnson (nee Cox), and treasured best friend Jerrie Bartley of Eureka, CA.
A celebration of Jane’s life will be held at Unity of the Mohave Valley at a future date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to AZLife Hospice of Bullhead City or a charity of your choice.

CONTACT: Email for Cynthia Sanders (Daughter): cyndesanders26@gmail.com