Mary Jean Given

The world lost an Adventurous Woman, Mary “Jean” McClernon Given, on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 93 years of age.

Jean was born in Pittsburg, PA September 12, 1922 to Kenneth and Lucille McClernon. Jerome Given her lifelong love and husband of 73 years, passed away August 21, 2015. Jean Given has four children. Sherry Moran of Omaha, Jeanné Willerth of Lee’s Summit, MO, Gary Given of Phoenix, AZ and Gay Lynn Owens of Creston, IA, also 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Jean loved her God, family and life. She was passionate about many things. She didn’t just ride on the back of her husband’s motorcycle; she drove her own motorcycle and many times led the way. Jean didn’t just water ski; she was a water ski judge and participated in Water Ski Shows. Jean didn’t just ice skate; she performed by ice dancing with Jerome. Jean was the beautiful first lady for Jerome as he served as Tangier Temple Potentate in 1963.

Horses were a large part of Jean’s life. She loved caring for the mares, babies and at age 63 she started competing. Jean was 2

^nd

in the Nation, AQHA Rookie of the year . At 68 years old she placed 9

^th

at the American Quarter Horse Amateur World Show and she continued showing horses until 77 years of age.

Jean said she learned to fly in self-defense because Jerome was an avid pilot. But again Jean didn’t just learn to fly; she held an instrument, commercial and flight instructor ratings. There was no stopping Jean, she competed in eight transcontinental and international air races such as the Power Puff Derby. In 1998 at age 75, Jean made some aviation history. She took a flight review and flew the Air Race Classic with her daughter and grand-daughter to be the first triple generation of women to compete as a team in cross country air racing.

In Jean’s professional life she worked for the Civil Service during Jerome’s military service, as a flight instructor and charter pilot for Sky Harbor Aviation in Omaha, H&R Block as a tax office manager and the Internal Revenue Service as Taxpayer Service representatives. Jean was a past Chairman of the Nebraska Ninety-Nines, an international organization of female pilots. She was active in the Douglas County Historical Society, Law Wives Bridge Club, a member of Pilgrim Christian Church and loving mother.

 

Visitation Friday 10:00 AM till service time.

Funeral Service Friday November 13, 2015 11:00 AM

Roeder Mortuary 2727 N. 108th Street Omaha, NE.

Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.