Mary Janet Pruyn

Mary Janet Pruyn joined her Savior on Monday, December 21, 2020 at the age of 84.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. Interment will follow in Llano Cemetery.

She was born to Ralph and Velma Evans on July 6, 1936 in Eagle City, Oklahoma. She is survived by her husband Robert Pruyn, sister Carol French, son Lance Clark, his wife Cyndy, their three children and their families: Eran, Lee, Lawson and Ruby Robinson, Charlie, Kristen, Kensie and Charlotte Clark, and Emily Clark. She is preceded in death by her parents and husbands Don Clark and Robert Heard.

For much of her life, most people knew her by her middle name: Janet. But, throughout her life, she went by many titles: mom, grandma, wife, teacher, counselor and friend. If you ask the people that know her best to describe her, they will probably use words like strong, smart, stylish, and independent.

Janet’s strength is something that no one would question. It’s a quality she passed to her son Lance, who passed it onto his children generously, who will continue to create strong families for generations to come. Janet was mentally tough as a single working mother, and physically tough as a breast cancer survivor.

Janet was undoubtedly smart, and dedicated much of her life to education. Years after graduating from Groom High School in 1954, she began her teaching degree at Texas Tech University and graduated from West Texas State University in 1967. Soon after, she received her Master’s degree, also from West Texas, and went on to become a math and english teacher -- later certified in special education and counseling serving the youth at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch for most of her career. Her sharpness is sure to be remembered by her students, and is certainly not forgotten by her family.

Janet was relentlessly independent. She was much more likely to put someone in their place, than to have anyone else put her in hers. The last statement may make those closest to her laugh with memories, but after working hard to create a place for herself in life, she earned the right to be a little stubborn. She was a woman unafraid to stand up for herself, and those that follow her will remember this when they need to stand up for themselves.

Janet was an avid CASA volunteer during her time living in San Antonio after retiring in 1992 and before returning to Amarillo in 1998. Over the years, she loved many dogs, hosted countless Thanksgiving dinners for family, and became a face at the bridge table that her friends counted on each week. She also loved reading, travel, the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, television mysteries, and great food. Her grandchildren grew up knowing that, if their dad was outside grilling BBQ ribs, Grandma Janet would be over for dinner soon.

Janet will be lovingly remembered forever.