Michael Edward Mayo

Michael Edward Mayo - doctor, professor, father, grandfather and beloved husband - died April 19, 2025 after battling cancer and Parkinson’s. He was a role model to many, leading by example in his kind, calm, compassionate manner. We’ve never known a better man.

Born in 1939 in Eastbourne, United Kingdom, his father, John, died when he was just two years old. He was raised by his mother Raymond and looked up to his older brother John. At boarding school, he was shy and quiet, more of a bookworm than a jock and didn’t like all the bullying.

Nevertheless, he excelled. He was accepted into St Thomas’ Medical School at 18 years old and graduated with his MD at 22, an impressive feat. During his fourth year of study he won the William Cheselden Medal, a prestigious award given to the student who demonstrates the highest level of practical skill in surgery and surgical anatomy.

He met Rosemary, the love of his life, in 1962 at St Thomas’ where she was a nurse. Their first meeting was just a passing glance in the emergency room. He got the courage to ask if she was going to a dance at the College House where the medical interns lived. That night they danced to Chubby Checker’s The Twist and to an up-and-coming band from Liverpool, The Beatles.

But their romance was almost cut short. They split up in 1964 when Michael became the ship’s doctor on a “banana boat” from England to Jamaica. When he returned, Rosemary had left St Thomas’ and his attempts to find her almost failed. Luckily, for all of us, his letter reached her later that year, and they quickly got engaged in Paris.

They married in the summer of 1965 and honeymooned in Corfu and Athens. Just a few months later, their first son Nicholas was born in February 1966. Quickly after, came Damian in 1968 and Justin in 1969.

With a growing family, they decided to move to the United States in 1971 for a one-year academic urology position in San Francisco. Michael liked the mix of research and medical practice and believed anything was possible in the U.S. It didn’t have the elitism and social strata they felt were stifling the U.K. They were hippies at heart, and San Francisco in the early ‘70s was exhilarating. They returned to England after a year, but knew America should be their permanent home.

That opportunity came in 1975 when Michael took a teaching position in the urology department at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. The Kingdome was still under construction. The up-and-coming city felt vibrant with endless possibilities. A year later, Thomas, the American baby, was born.

Michael’s career took off. In his practice, he became a sought-after surgeon who cared deeply for his patients at UW, Seattle Children’s, Harborview and the VA. In 1998, he was listed in Seattle’s “Top Docs” publication. As resident director, he taught and mentored the next generation of urologists. He continued ground-breaking research, finding better treatments for kidney stones using ultrasound and helping improve the lives of paralyzed veterans. During his 30-year career at the UW, Michael became a respected but quiet leader.

Family adventures were so important. Camping next to Loch Ness in the pop-up Volkswagen van. Backpacking in Mt Rainier National Park. Skiing at Whistler/Blackcomb. River rafting the Snake River in Idaho. Sailing the Greek islands for their 25th anniversary. Trekking to Gokyo Ri in Nepal. He and Rosemary loved traveling with friends to exotic destinations: South Africa, Malaysia, New Zealand, India, Dubai. At 81, he completed 50 miles of the Haute Route trail in Switzerland.

He treasured his time spent with his nine grandchildren and loved attending their activities as they grew up. Soccer tournaments. Basketball games. Volleyball matches. Jazz band concerts. Musical theater. Dance recitals. Violin and cello performances. And, of course, jamming to Cytrus late into the night! He was so proud of all his grandchildren.

Beyond career and family, Michael was something of a Renaissance man. He and Rosemary loved attending and supporting the symphony, opera, ballet and theater, especially ACT, Seattle Rep and Intiman. He became a writer himself: short stories, plays and a medical murder mystery called Unexpected Deaths (available on Amazon). Twice, Michael had one-act plays performed by actors at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, made famous by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee. He and Rosemary mingled with the likes of Tony Kushner and Laura Linney.

Later in life, Michael was happiest spending time quietly with Rosemary. They loved their evenings, sitting on the porch in Queen Anne overlooking Elliott Bay, sipping a cold gin and tonic. He will be dearly missed, but his spirit lives on in all of us. Rest in peace, Michael.

With all our love. Rosemary. Nick, Marija, Owen & Bronte. Damian, Shannon, Michael & Shoyer. Justin, Michelle, Ainsley & Audrey. Tom, Julia, Catie, Genie & Lillian.

Services will be Friday May 9, 1 p.m. at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle. Reception to follow at the Cathedral. The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend: https://saintmarks.org/worship/live-stream/

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Doctors Without Borders in Michael’s honor: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/