Mary Jane Warde, 81 of Stillwater died January 19, 2026. A Memorial Service will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Jane was born on June 29, 1944, to Neville and Frances Williams in Martin, Tennessee. She pursued her love of learning through higher education at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Florida State University, Iowa State University, and Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in History.

She worked for the Oklahoma Historical Society and was a passionate historian and author. Mary Jane's love for history guided both her professional life and personal interests.

She was married to William Warde until his passing.

Mary Jane was a faithful member of the Stillwater Church of Christ and the Perkins Church of Christ, and she was also a member of the Payne County Historical Society.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and sister Linda Waymon.

She is survived by sons Colin Warde and his wife Maggi and Mark Warde and his wife Laura; as well as one grandchild, Luca Warde.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, New York 10001.