CAMPBELL, Mary “Molly”, of South Natick, MA, retired Dean of Students of Wellesley College, died peacefully on her 75th birthday, January 28, 2014. The daughter of the late Sidney Sanderson and Elsie Dorries of Highland Park, NJ., Molly graduated from Highland Park High School and continued on to Wellesley College where she majored in math, graduating in 1960. After a brief stint in California working at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, she returned to the East Coast to pursue teaching at the Dana Hall School. Education would remain the focus of her entire career and her passion throughout her life. She received her Masters in the History of Science in 1966 from Harvard University and was a fellow at the Bunting Institute at Radcliffe in 1975. Molly entered the field of academic administration as the Director of Continuing Education at Pine Manor College. In 1978 she returned to her alma mater, Wellesley College, to become a Class Dean and teach in the Math Department. She went on to serve as Assistant to the President and was appointed Dean of Students in 1984, remaining in this position until her retirement in 1998. After retiring, Molly joined her daughter, Alison Campbell, in a container gardening business as the “Hen” of Hen & Chick Gardens. She also served as a volunteer at the Charles River School, Wellesley College, and as an active member of the Eliot Church in South Natick.
Although passionate about education, her life was rich in many ways. She married the late Robert M. Campbell of Dover, MA in 1967, and quickly became an integral part of the extended Campbell family. In 1970 Molly and Bob’s daughter, Alison, was born. Open to new experiences, Molly traveled extensively with family and friends, enjoying theater in London, snorkeling in Bermuda, and exploring the back roads of South Africa. Her travels brought her to a deep involvement with The Friends of Hopi Foundation. In addition to working in Hopi elementary schools in Second Mesa, AZ, she served as member of the organization’s board. She was equally as happy at home gardening, reading or exploring the banks of the Charles River with her youngest grandson, Ben. She loved her roll as the “matriarch” of the Campbell family, watching and participating in the lives of her ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Molly was a warm, smart, and generous woman who will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.
She is survived by her daughter, Alison Campbell, her stepson Robert M. Campbell Jr. of Malvern, PA and her extended family. A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 11:00am at Houghton Chapel, Wellesley College with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Friends of Hopi Foundation, 423 Territory Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613. A teaching scholarship in Molly’s name has been established by The Friends of Hopi Foundation.