Mary Anne Drew

Drew, Mary Anne 10/2/1942 - 1/28/2016 Ann Arbor, Michigan Mary Anne Drew (nee Snyder) died January 28, 2016 at Heartland Medical Center, Ann Arbor at the age of 73. Mary Anne is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Ray McNeal, her nieces Yvette McNeal (James Pruden, Jr.), Kelly McNeal, and nephew Ryan McNeal (Wana McNeal), grandnieces Ellie and Sophie McNeal, and Julia Fusco and grandnephew Ethan McNeal. Locally she is survived by scores of loving friends and devoted admirers. Mary Anne was born on October 2, 1942 in New Jersey to Mary and Bill Snyder. She was a member of the first graduating class of DePaul High School. She graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth in 1964, a small Catholic women's college, with a degree in Latin. At Saint Elizabeth's, she participated in synchronized swimming and choir. In 2014 she attended her 50th college reunion. After college she worked for defense attorney Joseph Affitto, Sr. along with noted attorney, F. Lee Bailey. On November 28, 1969 she married Carl Drew who preceded Mary Anne in death in 2002. Following their marriage, Carl and Mary Anne moved to Washington D.C. where he pursued his graduate degree. Subsequent career moves took them to and Syracuse, New York where Mary Anne worked for the provost of Syracuse University and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she worked for the Pittsburgh Blood Bank. In1985 Mary Anne and Carl moved to Ann Arbor. Mary Anne began a distinguished and storied career at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Hired by Dean Robert Beckley in 1986, she served under four deans as executive assistant, assistant dean, and stewardship officer. Working with Deans Beckley and Kelbaugh, she was instrumental in the decade-long cultivation of Mr. Taubman which resulted in his $30 million naming gift in 1999. And, until she retired, she was primarily responsible for the ongoing stewardship of this gift. She was respected across the UM campus for her good counsel, sharp wit, collaborative spirit, compassionate nature, and personal discretion. Her position of eminent trust was evidenced by her appointment as the single staff representative on the University's presidential search committee in 1996. Other honors include being chosen as a Distinguished Service Finalist in the 1997 Workplace Awards Program and participating in the University Mentorship Program. Her knowledge and commitment to the practice and pedagogy of architecture and planning earned her an Honorary Affiliate membership from the American Institute of Architects in 2001. A trusted mentor, no-nonsense adviser, good friend, and standard bearer, Mary Anne was regarded by a generation of faculty, staff, students, and alumni as the heart and soul of Taubman College. When Mary Anne retired in 2011, her friends, family, and colleagues surprised her by endowing a scholarship in her name. It is a fitting legacy for someone devoted to the College, to the students, and to higher education. Mary Anne's life was about building relationships and breeding excellence. Her energy, wisdom, strength, and candor will be sorely missed. Visitation is scheduled from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1 at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. A special mass will be said at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 2 at St. Mary's Student Chapel, 331 Thompson St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Her family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Mary Anne Drew Scholarship at Taubman College. Checks payable to the University of Michigan may be sent to Taubman College, Attn: Janice Harvey, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2069 or go to http://tinyurl.com/jogs33o to make a donation online. Please visit www.muehligannarbor.com to leave the family your condolences.