Elizabeth Van Huysen Mayer, wife of former Tufts University President Jean Mayer, died on Apr. 4 in Boston. She was 91.
From 1976 to 1992, Elizabeth Mayer was the "first lady" of the University. According to Mayer's obituary, Sol Gittleman, in his historical account of Tufts, wrote that "she was the consummate understatement," and that she "wore her modesty with remarkable dignity."
Mayer was born in Somerville and grew up in Weston, Massachusetts. She worked as a reporter, dance instructor and in the Department of Physiological Chemistry at Harvard University.
She was deeply involved in community service and education for her entire life, volunteering in civic and school organizations in Boston and many surrounding towns.
Mayer was also deeply involved in student activities, and the Elizabeth Van Huysen Mayer Campus Center, built in 1985, was named in honor of her and her contributions to the Tufts community.
Family members praised her warmth, compassion, intelligence and dedication to education.
"She was able to connect with any one and to bring everyone she met into her personal and academic family," son-in-law Gill Deford said.
"Whenever possible, she attended sporting events, plays, dance performances and lectures," said Mayer's daughter, Laura Mayer.
Mayer's grandson, Alex Maloney, spoke about her devotion to student life and well-being at Tufts, and her commitment to helping students enjoy their time at the University.
"She continued to care about Tufts long after her departure as first lady," Maloney said. "Although she held a high-level position, she cared about individual students and their happiness far more than any bureaucratic issues... she was very concerned with the general well being of the student body."
Mayer is survived by five children, eight grandchildren and a step-granddaughter. Her husband, Jean, passed away in 1993 at the age of 72 after suffering a heart
attack.
A funeral service for Mayer will be held at King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street, Boston, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 8.
Among many other things, Mayer will be remembered for her love of the University.
"Tufts was her favorite place in the world," Maloney said.
