AMHERST -- Mary Heaton Wyse, 86, a longtime resident of Amherst, died (when) of complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mary was born in Lafayette Indiana, daughter of Dr. John Richard Heaton and Eleanor Heaton. She was the eldest of three children raised in Hoopeston, Illinois and East Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from East Grand Rapids High School and the University of Michigan, where she received a BA in French and MS in Zoology.

Mary met her husband, Gordon Wyse, at the University of Michigan where they were both graduate students. They moved to Amherst in 1966 when Gordon joined the Zoology faculty at UMass. They embraced life in the Valley, raised their three children here, and never left (except for a delightful sabbatical at Stanford University and wonderful summers at Woods Hole MA.)

Mary returned to school when her children were no longer small and received a BS in Nursing from UMass and an MSW from the Smith College of Social Work. She worked in both fields, as a psychiatric and public health nurse and as a clinical social worker in several outpatient mental health centers, including the Carson Center in Westfield. She found the combination of nursing and social work perspectives to be valuable and satisfying in her work, and she greatly enjoyed being able to help people.

Mary spent many years as an advocate for people with developmental disabilities. She served at one time on the Citizens’ Advisory Board for what is now the MA Department of Developmental Services. Later both she and Gordon were instrumental in bringing residential and vocational services to young adults with disabilities as they transitioned from school to the community.

Mary was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, singing in the choir, serving on the Pastoral Care team, and hosting the Green Sanctuary environmental group among other roles.

In retirement Mary sang with Hampshire Choral Society and Berkshire Choral International. This was a love she and Gordon shared, along with traveling. They travelled to Austria, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, and Canada to sing; as well as trips to various parts of France for language study and vacation. Mary was also a member of Five College Learning in Retirement and took part in the French Conversation group for many years. She was a lifelong learner with absorbing interests, always curious and seeking information. In 2022 she and Gordon moved to Applewood, which she loved. She was active in the Climate Change and the Current Events interest groups, and especially enjoyed stimulating conversations and interactions at the dinner table.

Mary is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gordon Wyse; their three children Jeffrey Wyse of Bedford, MA, Nancy Wyse of Medford MA (partner Steven), and Karen Wyse Niedermier of Duluth, MN, (husband Mark). She leaves three wonderful grandchildren: Sophia Niedermier, Caleb Niedermier, and Diego Gianola. She also leaves her brother Richard Heaton of Los Alamos, NM. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Nancy Brady.

The family observed a natural green burial in Wildwood Cemetery. There will be a memorial service at a later time.

Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to Specialized Housing, Inc. or to The Hospice of the Fisher Home.