MARY MINDESS

MINDESS, Mary Professor Emeritus, Lesley University Of Brookline, died peacefully at home on February 11, 2023. Mary was one of Lesley University's first professors of Early Childhood Education, where she taught for 53 years. Her career was notable for innovation and lifelong learning, but her true passion was in building powerful connected relationships with colleagues, staff, and students. In 1962, she launched the New England Kindergarten Conference, which ran for 40 years. Mary taught the first online course for Lesley, and delighted in bringing together learners and ideas from around the world. She helped to establish the Reggio Emilia Inspired Institute at Lesley, now in its third decade. In her retirement, she enjoyed dancing, French class, computer class, and book club, but she never stepped away from her role as a mentor and leader in her field. Mary is predeceased by her husband, the late Dr. David Mindess; and her son, Dr. Richard Mindess (Tracy). She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Karen Waldstein (Thomas); grandchildren, David Waldstein (Rachel), Dr. Nikki Yourshaw (Jeffrey), Danielle Mindess (Robert Cohen), Katie Badger (Daniel); great-grandchildren Henry, Greta, Cassidy, Margot, Sidney, and Thea; and sisters, Rebecca Slotnick, Diane DiFranza, and Sheila Goldstein (Jacob). Private Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 2:45pm. Livestream viewing is available using the following link: www.tinyurl.com/MaryMindess Remembrances in Mary's memory may be made to the Mary Mindess Endowed Scholarship, c/o Lesley University, 29 Everett St., Cambridge, MA 02138 or credit card gift online https://lesley.edu (Write in Mary Mindess Endowed Scholarship.) Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-277-8300 www.levinechapel.com