Elizabeth Carr Mayer

Mayer, Elizabeth Carr, 79, a wonderful wife and loving mother, died Tuesday, December 6, 2005 in Wichita, KS. Her family knows that the doors of Heaven have opened with a cry of “Welcome beloved and loyal servant!” Elizabeth was born in Wichita September 24, 1926, the only child of Frank Overton Carr and Carol Macaulay. After attending Hyde Elementary and, Robinson Junior High, Elizabeth graduated with honors from East High and, through her academic achievement, was awarded an academic scholarship to Mills College in Oakland, CA, where she graduated in 1948 with a BA in Spanish. Using her language abilities and interpersonal skills, she was employed by Beech Aircraft as secretary to the Head of Export Sales. In 1951 she married Jack E. Mayer, who would be her loving husband for 54 years. Hungry for additional education, Elizabeth enrolled in Wichita State and received her MA in English in 1969. Serving others, she taught non-English speaking newcomers the basics of “existence” English for years. Similarly, she helped students by teaching English 102 at Wichita State (“Life in the trenches for a lover of the English language,” as she put it). Her love of children and education led her to run a campaign (ultimately unsuccessful) for the Wichita School Board. (Her laughing response upon hearing that she had lost was, “The good Lord must have been watching over me.”) Her love of children was also evident in her performances with hand puppets, at various elementary schools, using a script that she had written. Elizabeth later returned to WSU, this time earning an MFA in Creative Writing in 1986. She taught creative writing at WSU while writing award winning poetry and a novel. Not content with academics, she was an integral part of Domesticats, the Wichita Book Club , and the Garden Club. She served faithfully at Grace Presbyterian Church. She also won sports car rally trophies driving her 1957 MGA. Elizabeth devoted herself not only to students but also to the nurture of her family. Survivors include: husband, Jack E. Mayer ; son Dr. Frank Edward Mayer and his wife Anne Mayer and their sons David, Charles, and Brian of Del Mar, CA ; son James Robert Mayer and his wife Trisha Mayer and their twin daughters, Sarah and Claire of Pitegny, France; son Paul Overton Mayer and his wife Chanisada Mayer and their daughter, Narisara of Alexandria, VA ; son John Ross Mayer and his wife Lisa Lavoie Mayer and their twin sons, Dwight and Duncan of Cambridge, MA. When reviewing her life, Elizabeth often said, “Its obvious that weve been educated beyond our intelligence.” All will deeply miss her tender manner, keen intelligence, and delightful wit. Visitation will be at Downing Lahey East, 6555 East Central in Wichita, on Monday, December 12, 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Services will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas in Wichita, on Tuesday, December 13, at 1:00 P.M. A memorial in her name has been established at Grace Presbyterian Church. Visitation with the family 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Monday, December 12, 2005, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.