 WAUGH, MARY ALICE (1921-2014) Mary Alice Waugh, widow of John Waugh, daughter of Jesse and Doris Mary Gillespie, mother of Mary Ruth Waugh, and friend to many, died peacefully in her sleep Sunday, December 28, 2014. She was 93. Mary Alice, known to all as MA, was born in Decatur, Illinois. Her family moved around some and eventually settled in South Pasadena, California where MA attended South Pasadena High School, class of '39. She went on to graduate from UCLA in 1943 and became an elementary school teacher. She and John Waugh married in 1946 and their daughter came along in 1955. Music was one of MA's many passions and a highlight of her life was singing with Jester Hairston, a renowned expert on African-American spirituals. In 'Lilies of the Field', Hairston wrote 'Amen' and was Sidney Poitier's singing voice in the film. As part of his role as cultural ambassador for the State Department, he had a singing group that performed in foreign countries. MA traveled to China as a member of that group. During the 1950's, the Waugh family went on many camping trips, especially in the Southwest. Mary Alice fell in love with Native American history and culture and it became her lifelong passion. When she moved to Albuquerque, NM in the early 1990's, she became a docent at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC). She pursued other volunteer activities as well and shortly after moving to New Mexico, became a member of The First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque. She continued both these volunteer activities until a diagnosis of congestive heart failure in mid-2014 forced her to slow down. A philanthropist at heart, she contributed to scores of organizations including IPCC, her Church, the Museum of the American Indian, The Smithsonian, and more. With groups like the Animal Humane Society she didn't just contribute financially-she was completely devoted to her own feline companions. An avid book lover, Mary Alice read widely in various genres and belonged to a mystery book club for years. She will be remembered for many things but perhaps most of all for her loving attention to her daughter, Mary Ruth, her generous spirit, her open heart, her delightful giggle, her insatiable curiosity, and the wide circle of friendship which surrounded her. Services will be held on January 24 at the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, 3701 Carlisle Blvd. NE at 5 pm. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, her estate asks that donations be made to either the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center or The First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque.
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