ROBY, Mary

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona Wednesday, February 08, 2012 Mary Pavlich Roby passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2012, at the age of 85. Mary was a native of Arizona, born in Miami on Nov. 15, 1926. After graduating from University of Arizona in 1948, she received an M.S. from Smith College and her Ph.D. from the University of Southern College. Mary had a long and distinguished career in education that included teaching positions at University of Texas, University of Colorado, Arizona State University, University of California-Berkeley, and later settling into U of A from 1959 to 1989 when she retired. Mary began working/ teaching at U of A in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences. She later moved into administration and served as Director of Athletics for Women, and Associate Director of Athletics. In her career, she pushed women’s sports to new heights and was inducted into multiple halls of fame including the U of A Sports Hall of Fame, U of A Mortar Board, Pima County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame. Mary was a leader and affected the lives of many people in a positive way. She was a true pioneer in her field and helped open the door for countless women to participate in athletics. She is loved by many former colleagues and students and was a role model for many. Mary was married to Fred Roby for 42 years. She was very family-oriented. She loved photography, travel, and history. Mary’s love and giving nature in her profession and her family life will be missed by all. Mary is preceded in death by her brother, John Pavlich, and her sister, Katherine Duncan. Mary is survived by her husband, Fred Roby, many nephews and nieces, grand nieces and nephews. Services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. A Mass and memorial service for Mary will be at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5150 N. Valley View Rd., Tucson, Ariz., at 9:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Pinal Cemetery, Central Heights (Miami/Globe), Ariz., at approximately 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Peppi’s House/TMC Foundation, 5301 E. Grant Road, Tucson AZ 85712; or to the University of Arizona Cancer Center, Development Office, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., P.O. Box 245013, Tucson, Arizona 85724-5013 Adair Funeral Homes - Avalon Chapel entrusted with arrangements.