Mary Catherine Zengel Pelias PhD

Born in 1941, Mary Kay (as she liked to be called) received a Bachelor of Science and a PhD in genetics from Tulane University, and later in life, she earned a Law degree from Loyola University.

During her Junior Year Abroad, she studied at Eberhard-Karls University in Tubingen, Germany. There, she became interested in Eugenics, and the rest of her career was shaped by her studies in Tubingen.

Mary Kay taught human and medical genetics and bioethics at LSU Health Science Center from 1976 until her retirement in 2002. In 1996 and 1997, she served as a Congressional Fellow for Senator Peter V. Domenici. During her two years in Washington DC, she drafted and promoted legislation on genetic confidentiality and non-discrimination.

Her legal research included patient-doctor relationships, genetics in contemporary society, and informed consent and disclosure. Her scientific research includes studies on the genetics of deaf-blindness and the heredity of breast cancer.

Besides teaching, Mary Kay loved fine dining and traveling.

She is survived by her two sons; Gus M. Pelias III and F. Andrew Pelias, her daughter-in-law, Shyra Latiolais, and her step-grandson, Alec Fatherree, all from New Orleans. She is also survived by her sister Jane Scharber and her brother Fred Zengel, and her estranged husband Dr. Richard Tracy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Smithsonian Institution.

Smithsonian Institution

Contribution Receipt Center

PO Box 9016

Pittsfield, MA 01202-9016

Or by phone:

202-633-4300

We will honor her request of no memorial service.