“Where is Mary Jane?”
So many have asked that question about the venerable airport dog who, for the past several years, has watched over Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) in Florida.
The sad answer is that the personable German shepherd passed away peacefully on Feb. 5 at the age of 12.
Mary Jane was known to thousands of pilots and travelers as Showalter’s quiet and dignified director of security. She began her career with the Dallas Police Department, working for years at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) as a drug-sniffing dog. Adopted by Sandy Showalter, she was his constant companion at college until both came to Orlando to sign on with the family business.
Bob Showalter wrote, in his moving eulogy, “No dog was smarter, more loyal or composed in public than this wonderful creature. Kim and I hope that each of you has been blessed as we have.”
“She was my right arm, there 24 hours a day,” Kim Showalter said. “This has left such a hole in my heart.”
