Mary Beth FAIMON

1944 - 2023

as most of us knew her, worked throughout her life to bring justice to a world full of injustice. She was a strong and independent woman who tried to give voice to the voiceless and empower those who felt powerless. She was a lifelong social justice advocate who sought out opportu-nities to support those she thought needed her help. Consequently, Mary Beth was a very busy woman throughout her life. Mary Elizabeth Faimon was born on April 5, 1944 in her beloved Saint Paul, Minnesota. She passed from this world on January 18, 2023 at Methodist Hospital after struggling with chronic, and finally, acute respiratory issues. Her chronic lung issues took her strength and robbed her of her independence, and finally of her life. Mary Beth was born to Edward A. Faimon and Hildegard Mary Faimon (Jesh). She was the granddaughter of the Honorable Albert Faimon, a Minnesota state representative from 1939 through 1941. She attended St. Luke's for grade school and graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School in 1962. In 1967, Mary Beth graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Following her college graduation, she entered the Peace Corps in 1968 and volunteered her talents in Ubon, Thailand where she taught English as a foreign language through 1969. While she was there, she also traveled to Cambodia, Laos and Burma. Following her return to the United States in 1969, she worked in Ramsey County Human Services as a social worker. She also returned to school at the University of Minnesota and in 1981 earned her Master's degree in social work. She also received a post-graduate certification in behavioral analysis. After completing these programs, Mary Beth developed and directed the In-Home Family-Based Services Project from 1981 through 1983, and worked at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work to direct a grant project. Mary Beth then shifted her focus when she was recruited and began her teaching career where she taught social work at the University of Iowa, Iowa State, Western Illinois, and Winona State. Her final teaching stop was at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), where she taught social work from 1996, earned a tenured position, and retired in 2010. During her time at SMSU, Mary Beth educated and trained many of the social workers in the southwestern area of Minnesota. It was also at SMSU that she met and then married her husband Chris Mato Nunpa, a Wahpetunwan Dakota and member of Pezihutuzazi Oyate (Upper Sioux Community), in 2007. As others also knew, Chris recognized Mary Beth's kindness and compassion and gave her the Dakota name of Waunsidawin (Compassionate Woman). She was a key organizer of the Dakota Commemorative March in 2002, 2004, and 2006. Mary Beth was also a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars and traveled to Rwanda, Ireland and Canada through her work with her husband and this organization. Mary Beth excelled at many things. As a child, she watched her father do many things and she learned much from him. She was curious and observed other people along life's journey and learned more still. Consequently, she acquired both the tools and the skills to use them. Her tool box of skills was both figurative and literal, and she owned shovels, saws, wrenches and screwdrivers, in addition to the tools of her keen mind for research and an incredible memory. Well into her sixties she tiled the floor in the basement and her husband's office. Mary Beth was knowledgeable and accomplished in many things both academic and practical. Mary Beth leaves behind her husband, Chris Mato Nunpa, step-daughter and step-son-in-law Audrey and Randall Fuller, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Chris and Mary Beth's cat Wetu, cousins Jim Tomsky and Mary Staller, nephew Randy Danurahardja, niece Sheila Danurahardja, and many beloved friends and other relatives. Mary Beth's memorial services and the spreading of her ashes will be by both the Minnesota River outside Granite Falls, Minnesota, and by the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota. Because she wanted these services to be outside, they will take place in June and July, respectively. Mary Beth's caring and compassion touched many people and for the many people who she impacted she will never be forgotten.