Mary Wagner Doty

• 

Doty, Mary Wagner Born December 21, 1929 in Mpls and died in Mpls on March 6, 2015. Wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and devoted to service in her community. Mary is survived by her husband of 62 years, Judge David Doty; 3 children, Laura (Joe) Erdey, John, and Robert (Laura Shannon); 4 grandchildren, Alexandra Mary Doty, Jack Patrick Doty, Peter Singleton Doty and Thomas Shannon Doty; brothers-in-law, Herbert Doty and Douglas Doty (Luann Brenno); cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary graduated from Mpls South High School and the University of Minnesota (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1951 with a BS in Education. She taught Junior High English in Cloquet, MN and the Mpls Public Schools. She was devoted to education, books and reading. An active member of the American Association of University Women since 1951, she worked tirelessly to improve education for all, especially girls and women. Mary was a prodigious reader and became active in the friends of the Mpls Public Library. That led to her election to the Mpls Public Library Board in 1983. Her candidacy was supported by a diverse group including the Republican Party, the Central Labor Union, the Teamsters, and the Women's Political Caucus. She served actively on the Library Board for 18 years and was elected president of the Board several times. Mary supported a $140 million referendum which passed with large voter approval and enabled the construction of the new Central Library where the Board Room is named in her honor. While on the library board, she also served on the Mpls Board of Estimate and Taxation, MELSA, and the Urban Libraries Council. She also served on the Minnesota Nursing Board and was a trustee of the Metropolitan State Foundation. Mary was also an active member of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, the Minneapolis Club, The Women's Club, and the Minikahda Club, and generously supported the American Swedish Institute, the Mpls Institute of Arts, Weisman Art Museum, and Minnesota (Mpls) Symphony. Mary's family thanks all the people at Jones Harrison Residence, especially Nurse Dixie and Aide David for the loving care they gave her. Mary lived a good, full and active life of service, and she will be sorely missed by her family, friends and community. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Mary Doty Memorial Fund, Friends of the Hennepin Cty. Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls, MN 55401. Services will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, 519 Oak Grove St., Mpls on Saturday, March 21, 2015, 11:30 AM. Visitation 1 hour prior to service at church in the chapter house. A reception will follow at the Women's Club, 410 Oak Grove St. Private interment Lakewood Cemetery. Washburn-McReavy.com Davies Chapel 612-377-2203

Published on March 15, 2015