Mary Grimley Mason, a distinguished professor of English Emerita at Emmanuel College, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2024, at 96. During her final days, she was surrounded by her loving children. Mary's legacy as a dedicated mother, grandmother, educator, scholar, mentor, advocate, and author will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Mary was born in Camden, New Jersey, on October 27, 1928. Her childhood took a significant and challenging turn when, at the age of four, she contracted polio, which left her with lasting physical challenges. Her resilience shone brightly during her time at the Warm Springs Foundation in Georgia, where she had the remarkable opportunity to sit next to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at a Thanksgiving dinner. Mary never allowed her disability to limit or define her. Throughout her life, she devoted herself to raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals facing similar challenges.

Mary pursued her higher education with passion, earning her undergraduate degree from Radcliffe College (Phi Beta Kappa), followed by a Master's from the University of Chicago and a PhD from Harvard University. Her academic journey culminated in a 30-year tenure at Emmanuel College, during which she served as chair of the English Department and founder and Director of the Women's Studies program.

As a beloved teacher and mentor, Mary instilled in her students a sense of curiosity and perseverance. After retiring, she continued her scholarly pursuits as a Resident Scholar at Brandeis University's Women's Studies Research Center, focusing on women's autobiography, personal narratives, and disability studies. She was a Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute and a Visiting Research Scholar at the Wellesley's Center for Research on Women, an Adjunct Professor of Writing at Sloane Senior Institute, Kennedy School of Public Policy, and a Board member at the Irving K. Zola Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Mary's impressive academic contributions include seminal works such as *Journeys: Autobiographical Writings by Women* and *American Women Writers: A Critical Reference Guide*, as well as groundbreaking research on the experiences of disabled women, including *Working Against Odds* and *Taking Care: Lessons from Mothers with Disabilities*. In 2000, she published her poignant memoir, *Life Prints: A Memoir of Healing and Discovery*.

A lifelong lover of music, she played piano and sang in several choirs. She also attended the chorus program at Tanglewood under Leonard Bernstein.

Mary moved to Newbury Court in Concord, Massachusetts, in 2012, where she became an active community member. She remained an advocate of education and diversity awareness on the campus and a faithful member of several groups, including the poetry group.

Mary is survived by her three children: Cathleen Mason of Halifax, Massachusetts; Paul Mason of Niskayuna, New York; and Sarah Mason of Concord, New Hampshire. Her cherished grandchildren, Thomas Mason, Mary Iorio, Julia Mason, and Camille Iorio, also survive her. In addition, she leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Christine Mason; her son-in-law, Michael Ianetta; and her daughter's partner, Jake Essoe. Her family was the foundation of her life, and spending time with her children and grandchildren brought her immense joy.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Stauffer Grimley; her father, Elmer Charles Grimley; and her siblings, Jane Norsworthy, Elizabeth Keefer, and Thomas Grimley.

Mary Grimley Mason leaves a remarkable legacy characterized by deep friendships, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering dedication to her family. Her advocacy for people with disabilities, educational contributions, and commitment to civil rights will resonate for generations.

Mary's life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service in the Duvall Chapel at Newbury Court, 80 Deaconess Road, Concord, Massachusetts, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. For those not able to attend in person, please connect via livestream . Private burial will be at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Instead of flowers, please consider donating in Mary's name to one of her favorite charities: NPR ( npr.org/donations/support ), Amnesty International ( https://donate.amnestyusa.org/ ), Easter Seals ( https://helpeasterseals.com/ ), The Perkin's School for the Blind ( https://support.perkins.org/give ).

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, MA.