Longtime administrative assistant in the Office of the Chancellor, Mary Simon, died at her home on May 9 after a lengthy illness.
“We all share feelings of loss, and our thoughts and support are with Mary’s husband and their family,” Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said in an all campus announcement Tuesday.
Simon devoted 14 years of her life to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, most of which were in the Chancellor’s Office working with Chancellor Emeritus Richard Wells.
Simon was a strong advocate for education.
“Mary received her undergraduate degree at the age of 45 with a bachelor of business administration and became a proud and devoted employee at UW Oshkosh….Mary obtained her master’s degree in public administration at the age of 50 to better serve the students and faculty that she so loved at UW Oshkosh,” Simon’s obituary states.
Simon impacted many at UW Oshkosh—with her friendly smile, willingness to help and warm tone from within the Chancellor’s Office.
“Mary had an enormous and multifaceted impact on all of us. At times she was a great ‘office big sister’ who cared for us as our own family would in times of need. Many other times she served as a wise colleague/counselor. She was the voice and heart of the Chancellor’s Office who treated everyone with care, concern and respect,” Wells said. “Most importantly, she treated and valued all UW Oshkosh students as if they were her own outstanding daughters. Simply put, Mary was an excellent role model for all of us and while she will be greatly missed, she will continue to live on as an important part of each of us and many others.”
Friends may visit on Friday, May 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Borchardt and Moder Funeral Home, Hortonville, Wis. and on Saturday, May 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saint Edwards Church, Mackville, Wis.
“While we feel deep sympathy for her family, we are also very thankful they shared her with us,” Wells said.