Mary Florence Shenk
Mary Florence Shenk, 92, who served as administrative assistant to five deans of the college and seminary at Eastern Mennonite University over a 40-year period, died Friday, July 17 at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.
Ms. Shenk was assistant to academic deans Chester K. Lehman and Ira E. Miller and seminary deans George R. Brunk II, Richard C. Detweiler (interim seminary dean, 1976-77) and George R. Brunk III, 1943-1983. In addition, she was associate international student adviser for much of this time.
‘A dean without the title’
“Mary Florence Shenk was a dean without the title,” said Myron S. Augsburger, EMU president emeritus. “She did the work in a diligent, efficient fashion, adding much character to the academic program in the process,” he added.
A native of Elida, Ohio, Shenk grew up in Newport News, Va., and moved to Harrisonburg in 1941. She earned a BS degree from EMU in 1959.
In retirement, Shenk was involved in many volunteer assignments, including working in Mennonite Central Committee’s Ten Thousand Villages ministry in Akron, Pa., and at Harrisonburg; and at Harrisonburg Gift and Thrift Shop, where she served on the board of directors for many years. She also was a reviewer for the Choice Books program.
Shenk is survived by three sisters, one brother and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service and contributions
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Park View Mennonite Church, where she was a member.
Memorial contributions may be made to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Compassion Fund, 1501 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg VA 22802.