Mary Florence Schultz

Mary Florence Schultz, 58, died peacefully on November 9, 2015 at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. of complications from a three-year struggle with breast cancer. Mary was attended in her final days and hours by close friends Beth Paiste also William & Mary class of 1979 and Jenny Kuhlmann, and brother Vincent Schultz and his family. Mary was a vivacious individual: a loyal and devoted friend who was always ready for an adventure and usually its instigator. She had spunk and was fiercely independent. Mary never allowed a challenge to hinder her incredible positive attitude. She demonstrated this throughout her life and particularly over the last several years. Mary refused to let cancer define her, nor did she allow it to affect her joy for work or play. She met this severe challenge head on with great inner strength and fortitude.A 1979 graduate of the College of William & Mary with a B.A. in English, Mary began her career at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, then moved to metro Washington to eventually serve in key positions in television and public policy research groups, including WNET New York, WETA Washington, D.C. and the Pew Research Group, where she managed communications for the Religion and Public Life Project. In 1991 she won first place in the 39th Annual Columbus International Film and Video Festival for work on a national press kit, and also won back-to-back first-place awards in 1993 and 1994 in the PBS National Promotion Campaign for work in advertising and promotion.Mary’s final post was as Director for Marketing & Events, for US Telecom, a trade association that represents broadband service providers. She was responsible for promoting the association’s media outreach, public events, press conferences, executive education program, and production of an annual magazine. Mary also oversaw and promoted the public appearances of US Telecom executives speaking at industry, government and Capitol Hill meetings. Drawing upon her extensive contacts in the news media, Mary arranged interviews on key issues of importance to the association. Mary enjoyed traveling and the live arts, was a voracious reader, and believed strongly in community service. She served as the current chair and board member of William & Mary’s Washington D.C. alumni chapter. She was a former secretary-treasurer and board member of the Chatham Square Homeowners Association; current chair of the association’s architectural review board; former chair of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., City Guild; and a former board member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, Washington, D.C. chapter. Mary is survived by brother James S. Schultz, Jr. and his partner Donna D. Woodward; brother Vincent P. Schultz and his wife Deborah Mitchell Schultz; niece Katrina A. Graham and her husband Peter Graham; nephew Jaike A. Foley-Schultz and his wife Piper Blouin Foley-Schultz; nephews Patrick M. Schultz and Michael V. Schultz; great-nephew Cole A. Graham; great-niece Sadie A. Graham; former sister-in-law Mary Jane Foley; extended family relatives and many friends. Mary was pre-deceased by her parents, James S. Schultz, Sr., and Margaret M. Schultz.A celebration of Mary’s life will take place on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cunningham Turch Life Celebration Home, located on 811 Cameron Street in Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the William & Mary Alumni Association and/or the Cancer Research Institute. Guestbook entries can be made at https://www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net/obituary/Mary-Florence-Schultz/Alexandria-VA/1562620#sthash.4GMJCsSe.dpuf