Mary Jane Brenner

MARY JANE (COLMAN) BRENNER, a woman with a generous heart and a loving spirit, passed from this life at age 94 to be with our Lord and Savior on March 22, 2017. Mary was born in Sunderland, England, Oct. 15, 1922, the eldest of five children to John and Elizabeth (Carr) Colman. Growing up during the Great Depression and WWII, she learned early on the importance of family, a lesson that she shared the rest of her life. She would meet a wonderful American soldier, Lee Brenner, whom she married on Feb. 17, 1945. Later emigrating to the US, she always took a bit of England with her where ever she went. You were always welcome at Mary's to "have a cuppa" and mince tart, as she did often with friends. But her love also extended to her three daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. "Nana" was famous for her cookies, her fudge, and teaching the next generation about England, the Queen, and the importance of a good cup of tea. She always remembered their special days with love and a treat. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Lee Brenner; her parents; sister Catherine; and brothers Bobby and John Colman. She is survived by her loving children, Margaret Blakley of Crestview, Fla., Bea Hays of Jacksonville, and Mary Lee (Steve) Waxler of Niceville, Fla.; her brother Jim (Maureen) Colman of Liverpool, England, her sister-in-law Edna Colman of Sunderland, England; seven grandchildren, Bill (Julie) Hays, Beth Hays, Marie (Bill) Dyer, Kelley (Bill) Cowan, Larraine (Thomas) Deloach, Diane (James) Milne and Kay Waxler; 15 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in the US and England. A Rosary will be held Monday, March 27, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at St Jude's Catholic Church in Jacksonville. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her life will be held the following day, Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 10 a.m., also at St Jude's Catholic Church; fellowship in the church hall to follow. A private interment for the family will be held at Chapel Hill. The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to the loving and caring staff at Elmcroft of Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Ark., or St Jude's Catholic Church, Jacksonville, Ark. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home & Crematory, (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.