In Memoriam:

GSE Mourns Death of Former Alumni Association President Marilyn Nye

Former President of the Education Alumni Association Marilyn Nye died on December 22, 1999 at her home in El Cerrito. She was 71. Dr. Nye was an expert on children's literature, which she taught for 25 years in the Education Department at Hayward State University. She was particularly interested in Beatrix Potter and led tours to Ms. Potter's house in England's Lake District.

After her retirement from CSU Hayward, Marilyn Nye founded the Read Aloud program in West Contra Costa County, a volunteer endeavor that brings over 100 adults into Richmond public schools to read children's books to kids individually. The program has inspired a love of books in many children, and has recently been perpetuated by an endowment.

Marilyn Nye earned her doctorate at UC Berkeley in 1968, going back to study after her children were in school. She became president of the Education Alumni Association in 1996 and served in that capacity until 1998. "Marilyn was deeply dedicated to connecting the School of Education alumni to the faculty and the present activities in the School," said Dean Garcia. "Her role as President of the Alumni Association came at a time of renewed efforts on behalf of both the Association and School to reinvigorate that connection. Her tireless work in this role was appreciated and is beginning to be realized in a multitude of ways."

Dr. Nye succumbed to colon cancer. She is survived by her husband, John Nye; sons, Bruce of Oakland and Chris of Alameda; daughter, Bonnie Schoch of St. Helena; sister Bette Cope of Rancho Santa Fe; and seven grandchildren. The family has requested that in lieu of a monetary contribution to a charity, that friends of Marilyn Nye donate time to the Read Aloud program. Please call Judy Sam, program director, at (510) 527-1661.

Marilyn Nye