Mary Beverley-Burton

Mary Beverley- Burton, 92 of Guelph Ontario passed away on February 25, 2023 after several difficult years with a loss of mobility, advancing dementia and social isolation during the pandemic. Mary, an only and much beloved child, was born on June 10, 1930 to Malcolm and Agnes Beverley-Burton in Abergavenny, Wales. After Mary graduated from Aberystwth University, she went on to earn her PhD from Imperial College, in London. Mary’s first job was in Zimbabwe, and her second in Jamaica, starting a lifelong passion for traveling and exploring. She returned briefly to England but then immigrated to Canada to become a professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Guelph. During her time at the university, Mary was a fierce advocate for equal opportunities for women professionally and in sports. The Mary Beverley-Burton Award was named in her honour and annually honours the outstanding rookie female athlete at U of G. Among Mary’s other contributions to the university were her involvement in teaching summer courses at the Huntsman Marine Lab in St. Andrews, NB, and volunteering at the Arboretum. Mary retired after 27 years in 1996 as a Full Professor. Mary had 2 children, Rachel Beverley-Burton and Mark Mettrick in Zimbabwe. She married John Bull (deceased) after moving to Canada and where she had her third child, Sarah Carter. Her 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren survive her. A memorial celebration of her life will be held later in 2023. For anyone who is interested, please contact Sarah Carter at marybb.memorial@gmail.com.