Obituary of Mary-Jane Mardis

Mary-Jane “MJ” Mardis, 78, for nearly fifty years the beloved wife of Allen Mardis, Jr., died at Regional Hospice of Danbury on Sunday, March 10, 2024, following a five month battle with cancer.  She was born in Manhattan, NY on January 15, 1946, a daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret (Arctander) O’Brien.

Graduating from St. Raymond’s School and Villa Maria Academy in The Bronx, NY and having completed her junior year at the University of London, England, Mary-Jane earned her bachelor’s degree from Marymount Manhattan College, NYC, NY.

Although she had trained to be a teacher, Mary-Jane found an exciting home in the world of finance where she worked at a number of commercial and investment banks, managing bond portfolios for off-shore insurance companies.

While living in Bermuda, Mary-Jane and Allen had the honor of being formerly presented to Princess Margaret of England in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

In addition to her husband, Mary-Jane is survived by her siblings: Thomas and Alison O’Brien of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Plainville, CT; The Rev. Julia and John Gatta of Sewanee, TN; and William A. O'Brien of Lemon Grove, CA; her son David Cubito and daughter-in-law Jennifer of St. Petersberg, FL; her step-children Kyle and Olga Mardis of Hamden, CT, Michael and Andrea Mardis of Clermont, Fl and Catherine Mardis of Southeast, NY; her grandchildren Anna, Benjamin H., Benjamin R., James, Nicole, Aiden, Lauren, Katelyn, Brandon and Nathan, and cats Mollie and Smudge.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 18, from 5 to 7 PM at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury. 

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 19, at 11:00AM at Mountain view Cemetery in New Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary-Jane’s memory may be made to the New Fairfield Sherman Animal Shelter, 223 Rt. 37, New Fairfield.