Mary E. Slater

Mary E. Slater, 76, of Champaign, IL passed away at Amber Glen Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Urbana, IL on September 14, 2024. She was born on April 28, 1948, the only child of Bernard and Nellie Hightower of Macomb, IL. Mary is survived by her daughter Jaclyn Patrick, son-in-law Todd Patrick, and two grandchildren.
Mary graduated from Macomb Senior High School (1966), earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education (1970), Master of Science in Educational Administration & Supervision (1978), and Education Specialist in Educational Administration & Supervision (1994) from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.
During her 43-year career path, Mary served in a variety of educational positions impacting elementary, secondary, and higher education. She began her career in 1970 as an elementary education teacher in the Anaheim School District, Anaheim, CA, followed by an intermediate special education teaching position at Southeastern School District #337 in Bowen, IL, a secondary special education teaching position at Crete-Monee School District in Crete, IL, and the Alternative Services Coordinator for the Western Illinois Association in Macomb, IL. In the latter position, she assisted in establishing high school truant alternative school programs in McDonough (Project Insight), Hancock, & Fulton counties.
From 1983-87, she served as the Community Services Block Grant Coordinator for the Western Illinois Regional Council in Macomb, IL. In this position, she coordinated low-income programs for a four-county area to include: federal food commodities, emergency shelter, clothing center, food kits, scholarship awards, job opportunities bulletin, and domestic violence walk-in shelters.
In 1987, she embarked upon her higher education career when she was appointed the Academic Advisor for the Department of Computer Science at Western Illinois University (WIU) where she was the recipient of a National Academic Advising Association award. In 1990, she was appointed Assistant to the Dean for the College of Applied Sciences and concluded her WIU service as the Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement and Public Services.
In 1994, Mary relocated to Champaign, IL where she served as Assistant to the Regional Dean at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign. Remaining in this position for four years, Mary then became the Senior Director of Alumni Relations for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) until her retirement in 2013. Mary considered the latter position to be the "best job on campus" as she was afforded the opportunity to serve 130,000 alumni worldwide, 14,000 students, 1,500 faculty/staff, and coordinate activities of the LAS Alumni Association Board of Directors, college special events, and alumni awards programs.
Mary also volunteered her services to many organizations to include: McDonough County Historic Preservation Society, McDonough County United Way, Fields East Condo Association Board of Directors, Spurlock Museum Board of Directors, and Spurlock Museum Guild. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Champaign.
Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home, 303 E. Washington St., Macomb, IL. Mary’s funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Clayton officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Oakwood Cemetery, 1027 N. Randolph St., Macomb, IL. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association through their website (alz.org) or by check at P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 2090-6011.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.
 

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