Mary Buzard Obituary

Buzard, Mary

Mary Louise (Dole) Buzard, former publications manager and University Editor for Northwestern University, died at her Westminster Place home in Evanston on Friday, July 12, 2024.

A longtime resident of the North Shore, she and her late husband, the Rev. Clifford Buzard, lived in Wilmette for more than 20 years. She is a 1943 graduate of Lake Forest High School.

Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin/Madison in 1947, she began a 50-year career in journalism as a city desk reporter for The Milwaukee Journal. She subsequently held editorial positions with Mademoiselle magazine and Pioneer Press, Wilmette. She served as public relations director for Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and later as director of communications for Kendall College, both in Evanston.

She led Northwestern University's publications department from 1973 until her retirement in 1985. She was the first woman to head a publications department of a major university and the first woman to be elected president of the Big Ten Publications Managers Association. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Homes from 1997 to 1999, and edited its award-winning publication The Chimes.

Her survivors include two sons, John Paul Buzard of Urbana, Illinois, and David Andrew Buzard of Highland Park, Illinois, four grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. A requiem mass will be celebrated at a later date in the Chapel of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Evanston, with interment of cremains in the churchyard. Memorial gifts may be sent to the church or to the Presbyterian Homes.

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