Following the war, she moved to Tokyo, Japan, and worked as a cryptographer in the American Occupation government. There she met and married Robert L. McMillan, a civil engineer in charge of Occupation housing.
When the Korean War broke out, she left Japan for her husband's home in Rock Island. She resumed teaching in 1955, and for most of her career taught second grade at Garfield School in Moline, where she was beloved by her hundreds of students.
She received her Bachelor's Degree from Capital University in Ohio, and her Masters Degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb.
She retired in 1975 and remained active in many good causes the rest of her life. She always kept close to her far-flung brothers and sister, traveling widely in the U.S. until the end of her life. She visited Europe, and her one unfilled wish was to see the Tah Mahal.
Mary was a decades-long member of St. James Lutheran Church in Rock Island, and will be greatly missed by the many friends who knew her. She received the "Valiant Woman" award from Church Women United, and was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, Mensa, and the American Association of University Women.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, and five brothers. She is survived by her two sons, Michael, Houston, Texas; and Mark, Rock Island; and one special niece, Melenda Ruben, Moline.
