A great lady and scholar, filled with grace. I had the honor of being in Dr. Mentokowski's presence twice, at an Alverno Institute and when she consulted at my college. Her work greatly influenced my career and I should have thanked her. It is too late and my hope is that her energy will know. Condolences to Marcia's family.
~ Wilhelmina McCrossan
Hi Mickey:
Thank you for sharing this sad, sad news with me. Just last week I commented to a neighbour that the thing I missed most since retirement was not seeing old friends at conferences and quickly losing touch with them. You and Marcia were foremost in my mind at the time.
I am so very sorry to hear of Marcia’s death—and of course had no idea that she’d been ill. I remember so well how supportive she was of me years ago as I was just getting to know you all, and she hired me to score one of her large datasets. The experience not only provided coverage of a frightening Harvard tuition bill, but, more importantly, was a terrific ongoing learning experience for me. I remember feeling wonderfully stimulated after every conversation about the data and reassured that I was going to be in a profession that I truly loved. Without doubt, she significantly helped to fill a void for me after Larry’s death, and I’ve always remembered her for that. She was a wonderful woman, and so very accomplished, a true role model for us all.
And she also had the most devoted and loving sister in the world—which I’m sure she realized throughout her life. I’m sure her death must be a tremendous adjustment for you, but hope you can derive comfort from all the memories of your lifelong relationship. I remember your having children, and now grandchildren, and I hope they’re not too far away from you. I also hope that you yourself have been well. I suspect you’re someone who has kept up a frisky pace in retirement and hope that’s been good.
I imagine it unlikely that you should find yourself coming to Toronto, or me to Minnesota, but as always it would be wonderful to see you. I’ll be thinking of you as you cope with your loss, and raise a glass tonight in memory of Marcia—thinking of her sparkly, smiling face when I last saw her at AERA several years ago.
Take good care of yourself, and my warmest good wishes,
Mary Lou
~ Mary Lou Arnold,
Toronto
A life well lived, this is sent on behalf of the Tom Mentkowski family. We have many good memories of visits and trips taken with you. Numerous art museums, among them the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, the Crocker Art Museum here in Sacramento, the Milwukee Art Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago. We also visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Lobos, Fallen Leaf Lake in the Lake Tahoe area, San Francisco, the cable cars, Pier 39, boutique hotels in Fishermen's Wharf, visiting the California Missions, British Columbia, the Butchart Gardens, Filoli in Woodsie, south of San Francisco, the Anzo Borrego State Park outside of San Diego, the list could go on forever!
When Alex was a child, he would type a weekly letter to you and Charles. He also enjoyed visiting with Mickey and Rollie over the winter holidays several times and going to the Marquette Golden Eagles basketball games with you. Tom appreciated your assistance in helping him finish college and taking the final Statistics course at Alverno of which not one bit has been forgotten! Marcia also helped Tom get out of town and become an advocate in Washington, DC, and remains so in California to this day. She was a great Mother/ Grandmother to all of us. She was also a kind mother in law as I remember her coming out to help care for me when I was recovering from a lung biopsy years ago.
Fare thee well, Marcia! With love from Tom, Sheila, and Alex
~ Sheila Conlon Mentkowski,
Sacramento , CA
Dearest Mentkowski Family, so sorry to get the news of Marcia passing away... she was a remarkable lady and a great example for all of us. I am sure her spirit, knowledge and wisdom will continue to influence us as she has left a great legacy for all of us to cherish and share!
My deepest condolences to all of you from us in faraway Belgium. Hugs, Helga & family
~ Helga Stevens,
Gent, Belgium
My deepest condolences to the grieving family. I am a former member of Alverno's Office of a Research and Evaluation, who have admired Marcy's leadership, forever grateful for her support of my personal and professional development.
~ Tamar Ben-Ur,
Austin, TX
