Obituary for Mary Jarman

Mary Sunshine Jarman

(August 4, 1924 – October 24, 2015)

Mary Sunshine Cogman Jarman, resident of Ponca City, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the age of 91. Mary Sunshine Cogman Jarman was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma on August 4, 1924. Her parents were Enid and Vernon McDaniel. Mary Sunshine and Harold Cogman were married in 1951. They were together until his death in 2005. In 2007, she married Harold Jarman. They had known each other since fifth grade and were friends all through high school. He passed away in 2014.

She is survived by her two children, Don V. Cogman and wife, Susie of Scottsdale, AZ; Cheryl Bender and husband, Donald of Minford, OH; step-daughters, Sara Robinson and husband, Max of Lewisville, TX and Jeanne Maze of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Bryan Cogman and wife, Mandy of Los Angeles, CA; Marc Cogman and wife, Abby of Tulsa, OK; Clay Cogman and wife, Ashely of Newport Beach, CA; Caroline Montgomery and husband, A.J. of Scottsdale, AZ; Scott Bender and wife, Genoma of Wheelersburg, OH; and Jonathan Bender of Columbus, OH. She had eleven great-grandchildren. Nephew, Brandon McDaniel and wife, LuAnn also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, her only brother, Max McDaniel, and a grandson, Corey Bender. Her musical education started early. By age five, she had performed two piano solos. She once remarked, “I can’t remember when I could not play the piano.” In the seventh grade, she became the accompanist for the high school orchestra, choral groups, and musical productions. In the eighth grade, she traveled to Wichita for organ lessons and began playing there all through school, and many times later when she was needed. At the University of Oklahoma (OU) she studied organ with the well-known teacher Mildred Andrews. She was accompanist for many soloists and gave programs around the state with the Student Entertainers. In those days, she was paid the sum of fifty cents an hour for accompanying students in their voice lessons with various teachers in the music school.

Her teaching career began at the old Washington Elementary School in Ponca City, and then the new Washington Elementary School where she taught elementary music for eighteen years. She then moved to East Junior High were she taught for fifteen years, taking early retirement in 1983.

Church music was an important part of her life. She served the First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City as organist for ten years. When there was a need for a Handbell Director, she stepped in and directed handbells for nine years and was one of the founders of the Ponca City Handbell Festival. Other church activities include a term as Deacon, a member of the Worship Committee, and a member of the Elizabeth Reynolds Circle of the Presbyterian Women’s Association. In 2002, she was given a Lifetime Honorary Membership by the Presbyterian Women’s Association.

Mary Sunshine was appointed a charter member of the Marland Estate Commission. She served two terms and another partial term, and was Chairman of the Conference Center Committee. Her professional affiliations included Mu Phi Epsilon, honorary music society, Ponca City Teacher’s Association, OEA, NEA, and ACT. She was a past president of Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary teacher’s society and also served as State Music Chairman.

In retirement, she enjoyed other organizations, serving as president of the Twentieth Century Club, president for two terms of the Ponca City Federated Music Club, accompanist for the Choral Workshop for a number of years, and an active member of the Piano Workshop. She was a charter member of the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and served as Dean twice. She held various offices in Chapter EL of the PEO sisterhood.

Mary Sunshine was a worker in the Community Concert Association for over 50 years, and twice served a three-year term as president of that organization.

She enjoyed the friendships and fellowships of all these groups. Her hobbies were traveling, reading, playing bridge and watching all forms of OU athletics.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City with Dr. Gordon Edwards presiding. A reception will follow with the family in the Fellowship Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church music program, 1505 E. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74604 and the Marland Mansion Estate Foundation, 901 Monument Rd., Ponca City, OK 74604.

Source: Trout Funeral Home