Memorial Service to Be Held for University of New Mexico's Mary Fenton
A memorial service will be held in St. Louis at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 for Mary Fenton, who passed away in December. Mary, who was the director of student financial aid services at the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center, was active in the graduate and professional community and served for many years on NASFAA's Graduate/Professional Issues Task Force. Mary and other task force members in 2014 participated in NASFAA's advocacy efforts to urge lawmakers to end student loan origination fees, as she noted the importance of a personal connection to the issues saying, “once I got the staffer talking about how they were personally impacted you could see them start to understand.” A colleague who wrote to NASFAA described Mary as "a student advocate and friend to so many in our profession." Our sincerest condolences and best wishes go out to Mary's family and friends. She will be sorely missed. Please feel free to leave your condolences, memories, and stories about Mary in the comments below.
Publication Date: 2/20/2020
Robert C | 2/20/2020 11:30:35 AM
I am saddened to hear this news. I was fortunate to work closely with Mary throughout my years in medical school financial aid, having the opportunity to work directly with her on the 2014-15 GPIC task force. She was a great leader of that committee! Most importantly, I will miss the friendship we developed throughout the years that has continued until her passing. She will be missed. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.
Charles P | 2/20/2020 11:7:06 AM
Mary was an amazing combination of spine and heart that would go to the mat to fight for what is right while ensuring that great care was given to those around her. Always quick with wit and humor, our times together were guaranteed to a blast. She is someone that lived her life to help others and she had just finished her yoga instructor certification as a way to continue to improve others' lives. Rest in peace, Mary - you are missed and loved.
David S | 2/20/2020 9:22:25 AM
This sad news reached me a few weeks ago. Mary was vivacious, friendly, unconventional in all the right ways, and a relentless advocate for the students she served. She inspired us to keep pushing forward and join her in those advocacy efforts; we were honored to have known her and worked alongside her. May she rest in peace.
Meredith S | 2/20/2020 8:46:50 AM
Wow, what a loss for our community. I worked with Mary on the 1415 GPIC task force. Mary was one of those truly inspirational women you come across every so often. She was one to rally the troops and inspire the group to action. She was ever understanding o f the needs of her students and full of ideas to move policy forward. I will remember her tireless and infectious energy and wit. Condolences to her family.
Anthony S | 2/20/2020 8:40:15 AM
I am heartbroken. Mary was like a sister to me and we kept in touch for over thirty years. She was so passionless about her students and the financial aid profession she was a part of for over forty years. Mary had a wonderful sense of humor and cared deeply about people. Her mother told her "Mary, we were put on this earth to help one another” Mary never forgot her mother’s words. Rest in peace.
John G | 2/20/2020 8:5:03 AM
I loved working with Mary on the GPIC team; she was always passionate and knowledgeable. Rest in peace, Mary.
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