Mary Morrison, 93, died on Saturday, March 14, 2026, following a period of illness, lovingly accompanied in her last days by her children, Ian and Leila Morrison, her daughter-in-law, Jules Eckersley, and her grandchildren, Amelia and Jasper Morrison.
Born in Wichita, Kansas on Dec. 17, 1932, she grew up in nearby McPherson. She graduated from McPherson College with a bachelor of science and moved to Ohio, where she taught at Lake Erie College. Her education continued at Ohio State University, where she earned a master’s degree in microbiology. With encouragement from her professors, she enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Chicago. At the International House in Hyde Park, she met Charles Morrison, an anthropology graduate student, whom she married in 1962.
They started married life in Rochester, New York, where their children were born. The family then settled in East Lansing, Michigan, which was home for 36 years. Mary continued to work in scientific research at Michigan State University and contributed to scholarship in microbiology, immunology, and surgery.
In retirement, the lure of grandchildren brought them to Oak Park in 2006. A lifelong musician who had played the violin, French horn, piano, organ, and carillon, she joined the Unity Temple Choir and was an active member for several years.
She and her husband traveled the world extensively, including living in India for two lengthy stints for Charles’ fieldwork in anthropology. After the kids left home, Mary learned sailing and navigation. She and Charles raced a Flying Scot on Portage Lake and explored the Great Lakes.
She was kind, generous, curious, creative, and devoted and will be greatly missed.
Details on a celebration of life are forthcoming.