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Dr. Mary Miller Mack

Mary Miller Mack, also known as Dr. Miller, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on Jan. 3, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Guilford, surrounded by family. Mary’s graciousness and kindness, empathy, and faith were matched by a fearlessness and boundless interest in the world. She dedicated her life to her patients, her community, and her family. If you knew Mary, you admired and loved her.

Mary is survived by her daughter Kathryn Mack of Guilford, her son Stephen Mack (Rebecca Quintana) of Taos, New Mexico, and her grandchild, Thea Anderson. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Gerhard Mack, who died on Dec. 23, 2001, of Parkinson’s Disease.

Mary was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Sept. 28, 1926, to Russell and Dorothy Miller. Growing up in the Depression as an only child of two teachers, she was an avid reader and loved learning. In 1947, after only three years at Barnard College, she was accepted to New York College of Medicine in Brooklyn in the first class allowing 10 women.

In 1955, Mary moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she became the first female chief medical resident at University of Minnesota Hospital. She met her husband when she, an avid tennis player, asked her fellow residents if any were interested in playing. Gerhard immediately raised his hand, despite limited tennis skills, and then rushed off to buy a racquet.

The couple married in 1956 and opened a private practice together in Cheshire. Mary continued to practice medicine full-time after the birth of their two children, Stephen in 1957 and Kathryn in 1959. She was a wonderful mother. In 1986, they both retired, giving them time to enjoy plays, museums, operas, winters in Marco Island, and traveling the world with their many friends.

After Gerhard died, Mary moved to Guilford to live with her daughter. Mary thrived during the 23 years they lived together, was very active in the community, and helped bring up her grandchild. Thea was so inspired by her grandmother that she pursued the same professional path and will graduate from medical school next year.

A memorial service will be scheduled to commemorate Mary’s life on a date in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name may be made to Guilford Free Library. To read the full obituary, please go to Abbey Cremation Service (https://www.abbeycremation.com/obituaries)