Mary Jane Roth (nee Browne), retired teacher and former President of the Carmel Arts Council, died Thursday, December 18, 2025, at home after a courageous, stoical, three-year battle with bulbar ALS. The Carmel Indiana resident was 69.

Born in Cincinnati Ohio, May 21, 1956, Mary Jane was a graduate of Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, Saint Mary-Of-The-Woods College, and Xavier University. She taught elementary and music education in the Hamilton Ohio, Cincinnati Ohio, Portland Oregon, and Carmel Indiana schools, and continued to tutor children after retirement. As a young woman she was a competitive diver and vocalist. During her professional career she served as a teachers’ union labor representative. Mary Jane had a life-long love of music, contemporary and classical, and frequented symphonies for over 50 years.

Mary Jane will be remembered for her optimistic outlook, ever-present smile, infectious cheerfulness, and thoughtful kindness. She unfailingly put the interests of others before her own. She was a devoted wife and mother who gave deep love, and endless care and patience to her family. In recognition of these attributes, her mother once cross-stitched artwork with singing birds, music notes and the message “Mary Jane, you make the whole world Sing!”.

Mary Jane, beloved daughter of the late Dr. Edward H. and Margaret (Allen) Browne, is survived by her husband of 42 years, Ed, daughter Melissa (Joel) Blok, son Eric, sister Rhoda (Lou) Obermeier, brother Edward (Suzy) Browne, and brother Stanley (Carole) Browne, and was preceded in death by her brother William Browne.

Visitation for Mary Jane will be from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Flanner Buchanan, Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters), 4180 Westfield Road, Westfield, Indiana, 46062. A funeral mass will take place at 12:00 PM, Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 14598 Oak Ridge Road, Carmel, Indiana, 46032. Following the mass there will be a luncheon from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Flanner Buchanan, Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters). Interment will be 2:30 PM on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Arlington Memorial Gardens, 2155 Compton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45231.

Flowers may be sent to Flanner Buchanan, Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters). In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Mary Jane’s name may be made to the Carmel Arts Council, P.O. Box 344, Carmel Indiana, 46082-0344, [email protected], 317-571-2787.