6 In memoriam: Mary Elizabeth York, 1921-2012 rofessor Emerita of Education Mary Elizabeth (Potter) York, born Nov. 12, 1921 in Schenectady in the Hudson River Valley of New York, died peacefully at home in Vancouver, WA on Jan. 1, 2012. A memorial service was held Jan. 10 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Washougal, WA. At age 14 Mary moved with her family to Phoenix, AZ, at that time a burgeoning southwestern desert metropolis in a nation still under the effects of the Great Mary York Depression. She graduated from high school in 1939 and, like many of her contemporaries, went to work for the Works Progress Administration. By 1941 she had met and married John Devereux York III, and they began a family that would include two sons and a daughter. John preceded her in death. Mary eventually matriculated at Arizona State University (Tempe) and in 1955 earned a baccalaureate degree that launched her distinguished career as an early childhood education specialist. After teaching in various local elementary schools, she served as Director of Christian Education from 1959 to 1964 at Phoenix’s Trinity Episcopal Church. The Church’s ongoing outreach encompassed an extensive cultural and arts program which aided in familiarizing her with conditions affecting Arizona’s educational needs. During the latter 1960s she administered 10 statewide child daycare centers sponsored by a United States Office of Migrant Education grant program aimed toward improving learning opportunities for agricultural workers’ children. While employed fulltime in a challenging career—and carrying out family responsibilities—Mary continued to advance her professional qualifications. At Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff), she earned an MA degree in 1961. Soon thereafter, she began doctoral studies at the University of Illinois and completed PhD requirements in 1972. In 1972 Professor York joined Portland State University’s School of Education as professorcoordinator of its fledgling Early Childhood Teacher Education Program. Under her leadership the program evolved from limited coursework into a full scale graduate program embodying professional training that met requirements for the Oregon Early Childhood Education Endorsement. She concurrently participated in developing the Helen Gordon Child Development Center as a daycare facility and laboratory with linkage to the School’s teacher training program. Until retirement in 1983 Professor York actively worked to further develop PSU’s early childhood education program. Throughout the state and region, legions of teachers with this specialty training have been enabled to meet one of society’s most vital needs, that of preparing children for a lifetime of learning. Portland State owes a deep debt of gratitude to Professor York for her devoted, pioneering contributions and accomplishments. Mary was active in several professional organizations. She engaged in many church, school, and community activities, notably those associated with choral groups. At birth she was afflicted with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), a neuromuscular disorder that lessened her mobility but not her energy or ambition. In that connection, memorial donations may be sent to the CMT Association, PO Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19036. The Graduate School of Education has established a scholarship in Dr. Mary Elizabeth York’s name. Contributions may be made via the PSU Foundation, PO Box 243, Portland, OR 97207. --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History Gertrude Rempfer honored with posthumous award ertrude Rempfer, Emeritus Professor of Physics, who died Oct. 4, 2011 at the age of 99, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as a Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers in recognition of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science and its applications. Professor Rempfer was elected for her contributions in electron optics and in the implementation of aberration correction in electron microscopy. Although she retired more than 30 years ago, she continued to conduct research at PSU and advise students until shortly before her death. An obituary appeared in the December 2011 issue of the RAPS Sheet. P G
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