Mary Myers Winn

December 31, 1931 – January 18, 2024

Mary Octa Myers Winn was born on December 31, 1931and embarked on a journey that spanned a lifetime filled with love, family, and a passion for physics. Mary's story began on a working farm in Winchester, Tennessee, where the bonds of family and the warmth of Southern hospitality shaped her character.

Mary attended Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans, where she majored in Physics. Those four years were not only a time of academic growth but also an opportunity to explore the vibrant city that embraced her. At college, Mary met and married George Winn, setting the stage for a beautiful family.

Mary enjoyed a successful and fulfilling career. After obtaining a Masters in Physics Education from the University of South Florida, she spent 30 years teaching physics and served as science department chairman of Chamberlain High School for most of that time.

Mary was actively engaged with the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT/PTRA) throughout her career. She served on the Committee on Minorities in Physics, The Committee on Physics in Pre-High School Education, and on the Membership & Benefits Committee. Her proudest accomplishment was co-authoring AAPT’s best-selling book, "Teaching Physics for the First Time," a testament to her dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering a love for the sciences. She received the Homer L Dodged Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT in 2009 and was recognized as an AAPT Fellow in 2014.

The family has requested that donations be made to the AAPT on her behalf, in lieu of flowers.

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