MARIAN FRANCES (PAGANO) MATHESON

“One singular sensation”

SOUTH HADLEY, After leading a bright but far-too-brief life defined by a devotion to family and a mastery of joy, Marian Frances (Pagano) Matheson died at age 55 on April 4 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.  She passed away peacefully at her home in South Hadley, Mass., surrounded by family and friends.

Marian — known affectionately as “M” — was born in Flushing, N.Y., and raised on Guthrie Court in Northport, N.Y.  She built a successful career in higher education institutional research working with some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, but most impressive was her vast knowledge of Broadway show tunes and her willingness to break into song at any moment.  She loved dogs, golf, summer at the beach, the Peanuts comic strip, cocktails, good food, crossword puzzles, and, much to the chagrin of her friends and neighbors in Massachusetts, the Yankees.

Most of all, she loved her wife, Pam, and their daughter, Caroline.

Marian was Director of Institutional Research and Planning at Amherst College, where “her influence has changed the College for the better forever,” according to a statement by Amherst College President Biddy Martin.  Prior to that role, Marian served as Associate Provost for Planning and Institutional Research at Columbia University and was an analyst in institutional research at Tufts University. Marian was a leading and highly respected voice in the national Council on Financing Higher Education (COFHE).

Marian graduated from Juniata College, where she was a standout athlete in field hockey and softball.  She completed all but the dissertation for a doctorate in higher education curriculum, instruction and administration at Boston College and earned a Master of Arts degree in applied clinical psychology from the State University of New York, Plattsburgh, in 1982.

Active in the community, Marian served as a coach for her daughter’s softball team and was a dedicated supporter among the parents at The Common School.

In addition to her wife and daughter, Marian is survived by her sister, Janet Wood, and brother-in-law, Daniel, both of Mendham, N.J.; nieces Elaina, Kayla, and Laura of Mendham; her father-in-law, Roger Matheson and mother-in-law Yvonne Matheson of Litchfield, Mich.; her sister-in-law, Carol Kolongowski of Flushing, Mich., and nieces Jill and Beth Kolongowski; brother-in-law Douglas Schlosser of Homer, Mich.; sister-in-law D’Andra Clark of Hillsdale, Mich.; niece Arielle Clark and nephew Quinlan Clark, and many dear friends.  She was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Philip Pagano, and her brother, Chuck Pagano.

A celebration of Marian’s life will be held at Amherst College’s Johnson Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12.  A reception will follow at the home of Amherst College President Biddy Martin.  Calling hours will be held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.