Nell Irene Mondy

Obituary
NELL IRENE MONDY
Nell Irene Mondy died on August 25, 2005 at Cayuga Medical Center. She was 83. She was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on October 27, 1921, the only child of Daly and Ethel Carroll Mondy. She is survived by several cousins in Arkansas.In 1943, Nell received both B.S. and B.A. degrees in chemistry (summa cum laude) from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR, and two years later a Master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Texas. She then came to Ithaca and became a Research Associate in Biochemistry and Nutrition at Cornell University and taught food chemistry for several years before deciding to work toward a doctorate. After receiving her Ph.D. in 1953, she became a member of the Cornell faculty, eventually retiring in 1992.Through her food chemistry courses Dr. Mondy particularly enjoyed interaction with undergraduate students. Eventually she became more involved with graduate students through her developing interest in potatoes' biochemical and nutritional aspects as vehicles for improvement of diets in various areas of the world. In 1983, she was a visiting scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Nigeria, and in 1984 was selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science to participate in the African Regional Seminar in the Ivory Coast. She was Visiting Scholar at Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia and the next year was one of two from the United States invited to speak at the African Potato Association in Reduit, Mauritius. She visited, presented papers, and/or served as a consultant for food companies, research institutes, and universities in 47 different countries.During sabbatic leaves from Cornell, Dr. Mondy served as Supervisory Food Specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consultant to the R. T. French Company, and consultant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She was one of several from the United States to receive a NATO Award to participate in a seminar "Recent Advances in Food Science" in Glasgow, Scotland, where she helped plan the first International Food Congress.Professor Mondy was recognized by many scientific organizations and received many honors for her teaching and research. She held special leadership roles in Graduate Women in Science. In 1997, she received the first Elizabeth Fleming Stier Award presented by the Institute of Food Technologists, honoring her "for the pursuit of humanitarian ideals and unselfish dedication resulting in significant contributions to the well-being of the food industry, academia, students, and the general public." In 1999, the National Women's Hall of Fame created a plaque in her honor to commemorate her accomplishments and special place in women's history.She wrote many scientific bulletins and was the author of two books, "Experimental Food Chemistry" and "You Never Fail Until You Stop Trying," which was autobiographical.Nell Mondy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ithaca, which she served as a Trustee. She was also a member of the Tompkins County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the DeWitt Historical Society, the Cayuga Trails Club, and the Cornell International Friendship Club.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 17, at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Ithaca.Memorial gifts may be made to The Mondy Scholarship and sent to the Development Office, Ouachita Baptist University, Box 3754, Arkadephia, AR 71998.