Elaine N. Mayer

Elaine N. Mayer passed away peacefully on 22 February 2024 in Newport Hospital. She was the wife of the late John R. Mayer, Retired United States Navy Senior Chief. Born in Wildwood, New Jersey, in 1930, she was the daughter of the late Ernst Max Winzler of Berlin, Germany, and Bertha Mae who was of Native American and French heritage. She came to Middletown in 1962 and attended college at Salve Regina, graduating in 1968 with BA in French. She was asked to stay on at the College to work in the new Language Lab because of her knowledge of several languages. While working, she continued her studies in French receiving her Masters at Middlebury College in Vermont and a certificate in French Culture from the Sorbonne in Paris. When she returned to the United States, she was asked to join the French Department where she taught the language for 8 years. She then became interested in Anthropology and Archaeology and began working on her Doctorate in both fields. That led to the beginning of the Anthropology Department which she chaired until retiring after 28 years of teaching at the University. Before retiring, she had become very interested in Forensics and studied Facial Rec...[more]

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truction in Arizona for several years. She was awarded a Summer at the University of Pittsburgh to continue study on the Maya Indians and another Summer award at Smithsonian to continue work in forensics. Almost every year she traveled to various countries for sabbaticals, including Egypt, Mexico, South America and Europe. Once retired, she and her husband of 70 years went to the Netherlands on an extensive three month trip - something they both enjoyed because of their love for travel and adventure. While there, they visited the boatyard in Denmark where their 35 foot sailboat had been built. Their final years were spent taking river cruises all over Europe, and when home enjoying landscaping their beautiful garden. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the Mausoleum Chapel at Newport Memorial Park, Howland Ave, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842.