The University of Alberta banner is flying at half-mast from June 2-5, 2023 in remembrance of Dr. Mary Spencer, Professor Emerita in the Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and Board of Governors Member.
Mary was an incredible academic, researcher, and teacher. She received her B.A. with High Honours (Chemistry) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1945, her M.Sc. (Chemistry) from Bryn Mawr College (Pennsylvania) in 1946, and her Ph.D. (Agricultural Chemistry) from the University of California (Berkeley) in 1951. She came to Edmonton and the University of Alberta in 1953 and remained at the university for over 35 years, rising to the rare rank of University Professor and Head of the Plant Science Department. While teaching, mentoring graduate and post-doctoral students, doing her own research, and publishing dozens of articles and papers, she also served on numerous other councils, committees, and boards, including the International Council of Scientific Unions and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to name but two. In 2002, she was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada.
Mary's primary joy was in interacting with her students, many of whom have gone on to brilliant careers of their own. Their success meant the world to her.
Read the original obituary.
For information about lowering the University of Alberta banner, visit the In Memoriam webpage.