Mary Lou Denning

Mary Louise Denning Died peacefully at home in the early morning of February 28, 2011 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She battled cancer for over a year with her trademark spirit and style.

Mary Lou was born, 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts to Bertha A. Winshman Denning and John J. Denning. She grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts attending Matignon High School. After earning degrees from Salem State College and Boston University, Mary Lou taught in Long Beach, California, coordinated special projects in Lowell, Massachusetts schools, and was politically active in the promotion of civil and women's rights. She taught in Germany for three years before returning to Boston as textbook editor for Houghton Mifflin, where she proudly brought ethnic and racial diversity to their products. New Mexico beckoned to Mary Lou. Enchanted by pueblo culture, Mary Lou often attended their dances. At the Institute of Indian Arts, she wrote "Art and Indian Children" and created a traveling classroom for teaching this delightful booklet. She inspired hundreds of students in Los Alamos during 25 years in the regular and gifted classrooms. Highlights of her innovative educational style include: art tours of Santa Fe, cross-cultural filming projects and open education.

Mary Lou is survived by her sister, Jeanne Collier of Lakewood, California; her brothers: John Denning of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and Paul Denning of Seabrook, New Hampshire; cousins, nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Claire Denning of Portland, Oregon. Mary Lou was a good friend to many and will always be remembered for her warm spirit, and her strong interests in people, the arts and women's issues.

A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe, New Mexico on Saturday, March 26th at 12:30 p.m.