George Mairs died in gratitude on December 14, 2022.  He was born in Boston, the child of Shirley and Bill Mairs, on January 19th, 1941. George was married to Nancy Pedrick Mairs for 53 years, and they have two beloved kids, Anne Mairs and Matthew Mairs. Anne is married to Eric Peterson, whom she met in the Peace Corps, and they are the parents of George’s three grandkids: Colin Peterson, who is deceased, and Trinity Mairs and Molly Peterson. George said his only regret in life was that his generation hadn’t been better stewards of the world they are leaving to their Grands.  George’s son Matthew Mairs is married to Fendy Chen, whom he met in Shanghai.  George and Nancy also adopted Ron DuGay, who was an inmate at a juvenile detention center where George worked.  

 

George graduated from Brown and Boston University and was honored to teach many, many students over thirty years, first at a prep school in Boston and then at various schools in Tucson, including Amphi High and Salpointe.  He was also a worker for peace and justice issues, first as a Catholic Worker, then as an advocate for the needs of seniors, and as a friend to Death Row inmates, among other causes.  

 

George was a caregiver for over thirty years as Nancy’s multiple sclerosis progressed to the point where she became a quadriplegic.  At the same time the two of them kept an open house in which many found welcome for a day or a year.  Finally, Mary Decamp joined the family, helping to care for Nancy as she declined and then staying in community with George.  In his last years George fell in love with Roselyn Thompson, a Dine’ elder, upon whose death George inherited a Navajo family.  George stumbled upon a spiritual path, both as a member of Community of Christ in the Desert and at Pima Monthly meeting, the Quakers.  To remember George, you could help out at the Casa Maria Catholic Worker House and Soup Kitchen or at Pima Council on Aging.