Staff in Memoriam: Mary La Blue

June 11, 2008

Mary La Blue
Manager, Sponsored Projects Unit
Division of Biological Sciences
Years of service: 34

Mary La Blue, manager of the Sponsored Projects Unit in the Division of Biological Sciences, died of cancer on March 29, 2008, at age 58.

Mary loved frogs, taquitos, muscle cars, going to Disneyland, riding Harleys, and celebrating her wedding anniversary every month with her husband, Barry. The eldest of 4 children, Mary was adept at "supervising" her brother and sisters as they were growing up.

Mary's long career at UCSD included positions in the Warren College Provost's Office, Neurosurgery, the Center for Magnetic Recording Research, Anesthesiology, University Extension, Neurosciences, and most recently, her home in Biological Sciences.

She freely shared her wealth of expertise with colleagues across campus and earned the unequivocal admiration of faculty and staff for her subtle, yet unwavering determination.

Colleagues describe Mary as positive, cool-headed in the face of chaos, professional, patient, respectful and universally respected, gracious, talented, inspirational, and energetic.

Mary never supervised her employees, she mentored them. "What made her special was her good, common sense and her humanity," noted Professor William Kristan, Professor and Chair of Neurobiology. "She was, simply, a good person."

Mary is survived by her son Fitzgerald Madrid, husband Barry Sevenans, parents Paul and Audrey Ward, sisters Betty Thomas and Paula Robinson, brother Richard Ward, and several nieces and nephews.