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Long-time Instructor
dies at 93
Mary Margaret Williams, who served the college
for 42 years in a variety of capacities, died Sept. 13 at Lawrence
Memorial Hospital. She was 93. Williams, who retired for good from
the college in May 1997 just short of her 86th birthday, was coordinator
of the Institute of Lifetime Learning when she retired.
Williams “retired” once before. It lasted all of three months. At
age 63, Williams accepted the Board of Trustees’ request to start a program
for senior citizens. “I didn’t know anything about organizing a continuing
education program,” Williams said during a 1997 interview. “But I
decided it would be fun, something new.”
Through Williams’ vision and leadership, the Institute of Lifetime Learning
was recognized as one of the finest programs for senior citizens in the region.
Today, the program is going strong with around 200 men and women age 50 and over
enrolled each semester. Even at age 86, Williams was as sharp as ever. “I
will not go to the rocking chair,” Williams said during a retirement picnic
on May 8, 1997. “I don’t even own one.” Said Dr. Pat McAtee,
Cowley president, “If I get to be your age, I hope I can just get out of
bed in the morning. Seriously, I can’t say enough about this lady. For
someone to devote more than 60 years to education, that’s incredible. You
have been a true delight to work with.”
Williams was born June 13, 1911, in Fort Scott, Kan. and spent her youth growing
up in Chanute, Bonner Springs and Baldwin City, communities where her father
served as principal, superintendent and professor of education at Baker University.
Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in math and English from Baker, then
went on to the University of Kansas and earned a master’s degree in guidance
and psychology. That was in 1961.
Williams came to the college in 1955 and taught English, education, and served
as a counselor. About a week before her death, Williams fell and broke a hip.
Williams was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Baldwin City. A memorial has been
established with Baker University. They may be sent to Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home,
P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006.
