Mary Jane Huffman Hepburn, 74, of North Platte, passed away peacefully on Nov. 29, 2024, at Linden Court.

Mary was born on July 21, 1950, in North Platte, Nebraska, the daughter of George Huffman and Lorena (Jergensen) Huffman.

Mary graduated from North Platte High School with the Class of 1968. She was Managing Editor of the Bulldogger student newspaper in 1967-68. After graduation, Mary began her college studies at Mid-Plains Community College. She received her Associate's Degree in Science and was awarded "Outstanding Student" in 1970. She went on to the University of Nebraska, majoring in journalism with a minor in education, graduating in 1972. In 1973, she began teaching journalism in Lincoln Public Schools.

In 1973 Mary married Bob Hepburn and they moved to Canada. They were later divorced.  While living in Canada Mary taught journalism in high schools in Montreal and Toronto. She taught college level journalism in Ottawa, and in Montreal she started a high school journalism program, writing the curriculum. She also did freelance work, writing for magazines in Montreal and Ottawa. During that time, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

In 1985 she moved to Washington, D.C., and began working for the National Institute of Health as a communications writer and editor.

In 1995 she came back to North Platte. She began working for The North Platte Telegraph in 1996, writing a Faith column that she continued to write until her death.

Mary is survived by her brothers Jim Huffman of Omaha, Nebraska, and Tom Huffman of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces and nephew, Jennifer Huffman Foland, Nicole Huffman Kathol, Bryan Huffman and Kara Huffman Hensley; cousins; and hundreds of devoted readers of her column.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at North Platte Berean Church with Pastor John Stone officiating. The memorial book will be available to sign on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from noon to 5 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mary Hepburn Memorial Scholarship fund through Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation. Online condolences, livestreaming the service and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.