posted on Feb. 11: McMaster mourns loss of senior administrator
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Keyes.Mary.final72dpi.jpg” caption=”Mary Keyes”]The McMaster community is mourning the loss of one of its leaders.
Mary Keyes, associate vice-president of student affairs, died peacefully Monday following a spirited battle with cancer. She was 61.
A memorial service will be held at McMaster on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. in Burridge Gymnasium. A reception will follow.
“Mary was a much loved and respected member of our community and she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family and her many, many friends and colleagues at McMaster,” said Acting President Peter Sutherland.
As head of student affairs for the last 10 years, Keyes was responsible for many services that support the academic mission of the University.
“She was a dedicated, devoted and ardent supporter of students and served much of her administrative career building and enhancing student life and services at McMaster. Her hard work, energy and enthusiasm were unmatched,” said Sutherland.
McMaster Students Union president Sam Minniti worked extensively with Keyes.
“Her goal was always to improve student life at McMaster,” said Minniti. “She always took our concerns to heart and was very sympathetic to students. She was also one of the hardest working people I've ever known.”
Keyes, who had a BA and MA from the University of Western Ontario and a PhD from Ohio State University, began her academic career at McMaster in 1964.
An associate professor of kinesiology, her expertise was in the history of sport and physical education in Canada, sport and fitness and international sporting competitions. In 1981, she was appointed director of the School of Physical Education & Athletics. She was a key figure in the development of women's sports at McMaster.
Keyes chaired or was a member of many professional organizations during her academic career, particularly those organizations that relate to sport and physical education. She was a fellow of the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, a former president of the Can/Am Games and a founding member of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport.
She won several awards during her career including Coach of the Year (1989), Woman of the Year, Sport, Health and Fitness (1985), Province of Ontario Sport Citation (1990) and Avestal Honour Award, Sport (1995.) She was a member of McMaster's Athletic Hall of Fame and an honorary member of the McMaster Alumni Association.
She also served on numerous boards and committees including the Hamilton Community Foundation, the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction, the Royal Canadian Humane Society and the Canadian Automobile Association.
Keyes is survived by her father, William Charles Keyes (Port Hope); sisters Barb Winfield (Port Hope), Carol Deimling and husband, Peter (Orillia), Peg Kelly and husband, Bruce (Hamilton); brother Rob Keyes and wife, Susan (Toronto); and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her mother, Margaret.
