Mary Rogers Beckert

Mary Catherine Rogers Beckert, 93, of Mansfield, CT passed away Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at St. Joseph Living Center, Windham,CT Born in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Gerald and Catherine (Tracy) Rogers, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Herman Beckert and her brother Dr. Gerald F. Rogers. She is survived by her brother, John E. Rogers of Middletown, RI, her niece, Kathleen McCauley, and nephews Gerald Rogers III, John H. Rogers, Michael Rogers, Stephen Rogers, Paul Rogers and Peter Rogers and their children. She was a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University where she retired in 1989. She taught Physical Science at the University beginning in 1963, serving in various positions including Department Chair for Physical Science, as well as Director of the Planetarium. She married Herman Beckert, Director of Admissions at Eastern Connecticut State University, in 1975. She was a member of American Association of University Professors, and for many years Newsletter Editor for the Emeritus Assembly of AAUP. She also was a past president and member of the Center for Learning in Retirement. She was a 1939 graduate of Rhode Island College of Education, where she also earned her Master's degree in Education. She earned a Certificate of Advanced Study from Wesleyan University. She was the recipient of many academic fellowships, including the General Electric Science Fellowship for Teachers, the Academic Year NSF Fellowship at Brown University, and the National Science Foundation Fellowship at Wesleyan University. She was an exchange teacher in England on the Fulbright program in 1950-51, where she taught science at the secondary school in Penzance, Cornwall. She was a science teacher in the Newport and Middletown R.I. school systems and was the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year in 1957. In 1958 she was one of eight teachers named to the "National Honor Roll of Teachers by the US Office of Education and McCall's magazine. She also was the American Association of University Women Storrs-Willimantic Chapter's 'Woman of the Year' in 2007. She relished international travel, particularly in Europe. She also had a long-time interest in camping and Girl Scouting, including visiting sites abroad and supporting opportunities for girls to participate in camping activities. She led bicycling and hiking groups for Girls Scouts, and directed the day camp at Newport in 1962. She was a Girl Guide Exchange Camp Counselor in England in 1950. Mary was an inspiration to all; her kindness and genuine interest in those whose lives she touched, her love of the arts, and her selfless generosity in supporting the education of many, have left an indelible legacy for her family as well as for her so many loyal and supportive friends. Calling hours will be Monday, December 6, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 7th at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel,(on the campus of The University of Connecticut at Storrs), 46 North Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the following would be most appreciated, The Catherine Rogers Scholarship Fund at Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, R.I. 02819-0001 or Eastern Connecticut State University, ECSU Foundation, Mary Rogers Beckert Science Education Scholarship, Willimantic, CT 06226. For online memorial guestbook, and directions to the funeral home, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .