Mary Helen Brumback, 65, Omaha, Neb., died tragically in May 2013, along with her beloved husband, Roger Alan Brumback. Mary was an amazing person and so full of life, but she was taken from us too soon. Mary was born in 1947 in Richland, Wash., to Harry and Dorothy Skinner. She grew up primarily in Arlington, Va., until her family relocated to Bethel Park, where she attended Bethel Park Senior High School and graduated in 1965. Mary was a remarkable student in high school as she was involved in the student council, science club, math honor society, gymnastics, marching band, French club, and the National Honor Society. Mary then attended Pennsylvania State University, where she met Roger, her future husband. She transferred to the University of Pittsburgh and earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology. Mary worked as a pharmacist in Baltimore, Md., while her husband was a doing a residency at Johns Hopkins University. Next they moved to St. Louis, Mo., where she gave birth to her first child, while Roger did an additional residency. They then moved back east to Rockville, Md., where Roger worked in Bethesda at the National Institute of Health. As both Mary and her husband wanted to be near family, they chose to live in the Pittsburgh area. Roger started his initial medical practice in nearby Wilkins Township. Throughout the years, Mary, Roger and their family loved to visit with their relatives in Monroeville at Christmastime, as it was an extremely joyful time for all. Mary was a devoted wife to Roger and loving mother to their children. Mary and her family especially enjoyed visiting the abundant museums and art galleries, the Pittsburgh Zoo, historical sites, Kennywood Park and the multitude of cultural venues in Pittsburgh. As a result of Roger's career, Mary and her family were given the opportunity to live and explore many different localities across the country. Eventually, they chose to settle in Norman, Okla. While living in Norman, Okla., Mary earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. She then practiced family law in Norman, Okla., for several years. Prior to attaining her law degree, Mary also helped Roger as an editor of many of his publishing endeavors, including his many medical publications and journals. Mary coauthored a book with her husband entitled, "The Dietary Fiber Weight Control Handbook." For many years while in Oklahoma, Mary and her children made homemade fudge as gifts for family, friends and her husband's coworkers at Christmastime, which was such a delightful treat for all. One year she made about 160 pounds of fudge with the help of her children. Of course, Mary's favorite food was chocolate. Mary also prided herself in making baked goods from scratch. She used natural ingredients in her cooking endeavors, such as in her scrumptious homemade apple pies, pecan pies and baklava. In 2001, Mary and Roger moved to Omaha, Neb., where Roger took the position of chairman of the Pathology Department at Creighton University Medical Center. While in Omaha, Mary belonged to the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), other women's organizations and volunteered at the Service League Gift Shop at Creighton University. Mary enjoyed cooking, gardening and visiting long lost relatives found through Roger's and her genealogy research. Mary devoted herself full-time to accompanying Roger in his academic pursuits, medical conferences and other travel adventures. As Mary was an avid art enthusiast, she visited as many art museums and galleries as possible during their worldwide travel together. With the impending retirement of her husband from Creighton University, Mary looked forward to their new adventure of life in Lewisburg, W.Va., and being closer to her relatives. Mary was preceded in death by her father, retired Lt. Col. Harry Skinner.

(Pittsburgh Tribune Review6/20/2013)