Mary L. Waring, 88 Chattanooga

Mary L. Waring, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Monday, July 18, 2016. She was 88.

She was born Feb. 15, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Penn., to the late Harold R. Waring, and Edith McCallum Waring. Mary earned an associate’s degree at Duke University and a master’s degree from Smith College and PhD from Brambeis University. A lengthy career in clinical work and teaching followed.

Her positions included supervision at the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston, Mass., director of social services at Cambridge MA Mental Health Center, associate professor at Florida State University, professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at Fordham University, N.Y.C. where she was the principal architect and initial chair of its doctoral program.

Ms. Waring was a consultant for the Family Counseling Services of Bergen County in Hackensack, N.J. and to the Department of Human Services of New Jersey. In 1986, she returned to her hometown of Chattanooga where she founded and directed the Step One Employee Assistance Program for Fortwood Center, a community mental health facility.

As the author of 20 articles, she was listed in Who’s Who in America from 19972015. Mary attributed any accomplishment to a strong family and enduring friendships. She loved good conversation, travel, literature, music and art. She was a friend of the Chattanooga Public Library, subscriber to the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and the Hunter Museum of American Art.

For over a decade, she was a member and officer in the Community Services Club. Her charities included the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Salvation Army, Alzheimer’s Disease research and the Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include: Two nephews, Steve Hall and Matthew Hall and three great-nieces.

Visitation: Sunday, July 24, from 1 p.m. until the service hour at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home

Funeral services: Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Pastor Jim Bennett officiating.

Private burial will be held Monday, July 25, at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37401.

Online guestbook available at lane-southcrestchapel.com.

Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.