Marian Neir Mahard

Marian Neir Mahard Mar. 3, 1914 - Jan. 8, 2007

A memorial service for Marian Neir Mahard, 92, of Granville, was held at 11 a.m. Feb. 3, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville, with the Rev. Karen J. Chakoian officiating. A private graveside service will be in the College Cemetery at Denison University. Mrs. Mahard, who retired in 1976 after teaching elementary students in Granville since 1951, died peacefully Jan. 8, 2007, at Kendal at Granville. She was born Mar. 3, 1914, in Ypsilanti, Mich., to the late Vera (Savage) and Charles S. Neir. Marian grew up and attended school in Ypsilanti and following graduation from Michigan Normal College, (now Eastern Michigan University), she taught art in Farmington, Mich. Marian and her high school sweetheart, Richard Mahard, were married at her parent's home on June 12, 1938. They lived in New York where Marian worked at Macy's while Dick continued his graduate level degrees at Columbia University. Marian and Dick were instrumental in the restoration and renovation of Granville's historic Old Academy Building (1933). They were intensely interested in Granville's on-going development and celebrations. Marian designed and made the flag for the Village of Granville's 175th anniversary celebration in 1980. Marian and Dick jointly received the Granville Historical Society's Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001 in recognition of the many years of their service to the Society. Marian was active in the Alpha Phi Sorority at Denison and was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and the First Presbyterian Church of Granville. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed handiwork of many varieties. She maintained an interest in the arts and music, particularly piano, throughout her life. Marian was supportive of Dick's geological work, attending many field trips and conferences with him, as well as chaperoning student tours abroad and entertaining travelers, yet found profound pleasure in driving the "shun-pikes" of their own country. Surviving are two nieces and two nephews, and a host of Granville friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard H. Mahard, who died April 9, 2002; one sister; and one brother. The McPeek Funeral Home in Granville assisted the family with arrangements. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Richard and Marian Mahard Endowed Fund, c/o Denison University, P.O. Box D, Granville, Ohio 43023 or the First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville, Ohio 43023.