Mary Francis Eimon

1921 - 2017

Mary Francis Dodd "Pan" Eimon, longtime artist, writer and civic volunteer, died Wednesday September 20, 2017. She was 96. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am, Friday, September 29, 2017 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1501 S. Georgia. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Pan Eimon was born on March 13, 1921 in Union City, Tennessee, to Harry Edwin and Pauline Caldwell Dodd. While her given name was Mary Francis, as a child learning to speak, Mrs. Eimon had difficulty pronouncing her full name, and it came out "Mary Pancis." This led to her lifelong nickname of Pan.

Her early education emphasized the arts, with attendance at art institutes in Nashville, Cincinnati and Chicago. Later she attended Vanderbilt University, Pan American University, and graduated from The University of Tennessee in 1952 majoring in Political Science and Journalism. After working as news editor for a radio station, from 1950-58 Pan was Managing Editor for the magazine of the Tennessee Municipal League. From 1950-85 Pan wrote a column on marketing for American City Magazine, a national publication for municipalities. From 1961-63 she took classes at Stanford University while her husband Paul completed his Master's Degree in Geology. While there she worked as editorial assistant at the Stanford University News Service.

In 1957, Pan married Paul I. Eimon, and they decided they would take their savings and travel in Europe until the money ran out. Then they would return to the US and start the next chapter of their life. However, there was a problem. Paul had just been hired by American Smelting and Refining Co. and jobs for young geologists were hard to get. Always creative, Paul asked his superior for a leave of absence, which was such an unusual request it went to the executive offices in New York, where surprisingly it was approved.

For their honeymoon in Europe, Paul ordered a German Heinkel scooter so they could travel economically. They took delivery at the factory, where they attended a ceremony with the manager and many employees present. As the manager presented the keys to Paul, he quietly asked if Paul had any experience riding a scooter. Paul admitted he had none, so he was shown how to operate it and took a few shaky laps around the parking lot before he and Pan were on their way. In the months following they put 10,000 miles on the scooter, traveled several weeks on a tramp steamer in the Mediterranean, and then returned to the US.

As Pan and Paul retold this story many times, it was obvious that the extended honeymoon in Europe forged an unbreakable love and partnership which endured every difficulty they encountered during their lives. Pan, the artist, memorialized that yellow Heinkel scooter in a painting, framed and hanging on the wall in Paul's study at home. Whenever Paul went through discouraging experiences at work over the years, Pan would dutifully take the painting off the wall and go to his office and hang it on his wall. Nothing was said, but the message was clear - "We can walk away from this and hop onto that scooter again."

Over the years of their marriage, Pan and Paul traveled widely and lived in several countries in Central and South America for Paul's work as an Economic Geologist. Pan continued her writing and art, often exhibiting her paintings and drawings in many countries. Her most recent international show was in 1996 in Mongolia at the National Gallery.

Pan and Paul came to Amarillo in 1982 and quickly became involved in many activities. They joined St. Andrews Episcopal Church and were faithful members of the Rector's Bible Study. Pan joined many arts entities, spanning the visual and performing arts in the community. She was Co-Chairman of the Golden Nail Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and later was given the Golden Touch Award for her work in the arts. Her support and involvement included the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, The Amarillo Museum of Art, Art Force and Chamber Music Amarillo. Pan was a member of The American Association of University Women (President of Amarillo Chapter 1994-6, Chairman of the Texas State Convention in 2000 and Chairman of its International Relations Committee 2003-6). Both Pan and Paul were enthusiastic board members of the International Club where Pan organized the first International week in 1992.

Throughout the time Pan and Paul lived here they hosted many gatherings in their home, celebrating holidays, events and putting people together who they thought should meet one another. Topics of discussion were always wide ranging and entertaining, food was plentiful and spirits flowed. Often, Pan and Paul would follow up the conversation within a few days to get each person involved in some activity which improved the quality of life in Amarillo.

Pan was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harry Dodd (and wife Mildred) and her loving husband Paul.

Pan is survived by her nieces Sally Jasper of Salem, Oregon and Susan Hindmarch of Brentwood, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Sewanee: The University of the South, Office of Advancement, 735 University Ave., Sewanee, TN 37383; Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, 301 S. Polk St., Suite 700, Amarillo, TX 79101; St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1601 S. Georgia St., Amarillo, TX 79102; or a charity of their choice.

Sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com.