Woodworth Family - Ourfolk
Margaret Merryleese Woodworth (Mayer) 23 APR 1934 - 25 JUN 1999
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Margaret was born on 23 APR 1934 in Lafayette, Ind. and died on 25 JUN 1999 (age: 65) in Tuscon, AZ . She was the daughter of Robert Clute Woodworth (13 APR 1902 - 4 APR 1964) and Margaret Rogers Winfield (Walker) (19 AUG 1904 - 20 JUL 1982). Margaret was married to George H. Mayer . View Family Chart - - -
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- Jefferson HS 1950
In 1956, Merrylees got engaged to
Margaret:
But Merrylees decided to break off the engagement and later married George Mayer. George was a professor at Purdue and a lovely , witty and intelligent man. They were married about 12 years and then divorced. (N. Johnston 3/2020)
Margaret:
Merrylees Mayer, former assistant to the University of Arizona president, died unexpectedly at her home in Tucson on June 25. She was 66.
A farewell service will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 11 a.m. in the lower gallery of the UA Museum of Art. Lunch will be hosted in the upstairs gallery following the services.
Through 14 years of employment at the University, Mayer earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues for her dedication and ability to work effectively under stressful conditions. Mayer retired from the UA in 1996.
Mayer was born in Lafayette, Ind. on April 23, 1934, to Robert and Margaret Woodworth. She earned her bachelor's degree with distinction in pre-medicine and English and a master's degree in English literature from Purdue University.
She stayed at Purdue and taught English to disadvantaged students. She also served as an instructor in American Studies.
She was married for nine years to the late George H. Mayer, a distinguished American historian who also taught at Purdue University and at the New College of the University of South Florida. Merrylees at that time edited her husband's now classic 'History of the Republican Party'.
The couple traveled to Malaya where Mayer taught English to non-native speakers at a Kuala Lumpur College, a responsibility that she found both enjoyable and rewarding.
In 1964, she became executive assistant to Henry Koffler, then head of the department of biological sciences at Purdue University.
It was at this time she found her true professional niche, applying her energies and insights to ensure the smooth operation of senior administrative offices at a series of leading academic institutions.
She accompanied the Koffler family to the University of Minnesota (1975-82), to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1979-82), and most recently, to the University of Arizona in 1982, where she served as assistant to the academic vice president, chancellor and president, respectively.
'I simply could not have done my job without her,' said President Emeritus Henry Koffler. 'Merrylees was an attentive listener and handled difficult situations with diplomacy and human warmth. She became a good friend on whom I could always depend. Her talents will never be equaled.'
Former UA Associate to the President Terence Burke, who worked with Mayer in Massachusetts and Tucson, said, 'We were colleagues every day for 12 years. She could always be relied on for a kind word, a helping hand and a shared laugh.' Merrylees derived immense pleasure from helping others and, in this way, helped to put a human face on the administration of large institutions.
More recently, she revived her old interest in singing, and took great joy in practicing and performing with the Master Chorale and various University choral groups. She also was an active participant of Literacy Volunteers of Pima County.
Mayer is survived by her brother Maurice (and Ann) Woodworth of Perth, Australia; former sister-in-law Margaret Woodworth Fowler of Blacksburg, Va.; aunt Catherine Winfield Nichols, of Sarasota, Fla., cousins Nancy and Angelo Marinos of Gaithersburg, Md., Abby and Richard Mortenson of Albion, Mich., nieces Jenny Woodworth of La Grande, Ore., and Margaret and Taylor Woodworth of Perth, and nephew Robert (and Deena) Woodworth of Gainesville, Ga.
A farewell service will be held on Saturday July 15, at 11 a.m. in the lower gallery of the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Lunch will be hosted in the upstairs gallery of the museum following the services.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to support the University's choral program may be sent to Professor Robert A. Cutietta, director of the School of Music at the University of Arizona, P.O. Box 21004, Tucson, 85721. Make checks payable to the University of Arizona.
A farewell service will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 11 a.m. in the lower gallery of the UA Museum of Art. Lunch will be hosted in the upstairs gallery following the services.
Through 14 years of employment at the University, Mayer earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues for her dedication and ability to work effectively under stressful conditions. Mayer retired from the UA in 1996.
Mayer was born in Lafayette, Ind. on April 23, 1934, to Robert and Margaret Woodworth. She earned her bachelor's degree with distinction in pre-medicine and English and a master's degree in English literature from Purdue University.
She stayed at Purdue and taught English to disadvantaged students. She also served as an instructor in American Studies.
She was married for nine years to the late George H. Mayer, a distinguished American historian who also taught at Purdue University and at the New College of the University of South Florida. Merrylees at that time edited her husband's now classic 'History of the Republican Party'.
The couple traveled to Malaya where Mayer taught English to non-native speakers at a Kuala Lumpur College, a responsibility that she found both enjoyable and rewarding.
In 1964, she became executive assistant to Henry Koffler, then head of the department of biological sciences at Purdue University.
It was at this time she found her true professional niche, applying her energies and insights to ensure the smooth operation of senior administrative offices at a series of leading academic institutions.
She accompanied the Koffler family to the University of Minnesota (1975-82), to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1979-82), and most recently, to the University of Arizona in 1982, where she served as assistant to the academic vice president, chancellor and president, respectively.
'I simply could not have done my job without her,' said President Emeritus Henry Koffler. 'Merrylees was an attentive listener and handled difficult situations with diplomacy and human warmth. She became a good friend on whom I could always depend. Her talents will never be equaled.'
Former UA Associate to the President Terence Burke, who worked with Mayer in Massachusetts and Tucson, said, 'We were colleagues every day for 12 years. She could always be relied on for a kind word, a helping hand and a shared laugh.' Merrylees derived immense pleasure from helping others and, in this way, helped to put a human face on the administration of large institutions.
More recently, she revived her old interest in singing, and took great joy in practicing and performing with the Master Chorale and various University choral groups. She also was an active participant of Literacy Volunteers of Pima County.
Mayer is survived by her brother Maurice (and Ann) Woodworth of Perth, Australia; former sister-in-law Margaret Woodworth Fowler of Blacksburg, Va.; aunt Catherine Winfield Nichols, of Sarasota, Fla., cousins Nancy and Angelo Marinos of Gaithersburg, Md., Abby and Richard Mortenson of Albion, Mich., nieces Jenny Woodworth of La Grande, Ore., and Margaret and Taylor Woodworth of Perth, and nephew Robert (and Deena) Woodworth of Gainesville, Ga.
A farewell service will be held on Saturday July 15, at 11 a.m. in the lower gallery of the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Lunch will be hosted in the upstairs gallery of the museum following the services.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to support the University's choral program may be sent to Professor Robert A. Cutietta, director of the School of Music at the University of Arizona, P.O. Box 21004, Tucson, 85721. Make checks payable to the University of Arizona.
Last change (on this page): 23 MAR 2020