Mairs—George Mairs, 81, on December 14, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. George was born on January 19, 1941, to Shirley and Bill Mairs, in Boston, Mass. George earned degrees from Brown University in Providence, R.I., and Boston University and taught many students over the course of 30 years, first at a prep school in Boston and then at various schools in Tucson, including Amphitheatre High School and Salpointe Catholic High School.
George actively supported 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. He found his spiritual path as a member of Community of Christ of the Desert and at Pima Meeting, both in Tucson. George became a member of Pima Meeting in September 2019 after attending regularly for five years. He served on the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, clerking for the past several years. George served as Pima Meeting’s liaison to the West University Neighborhood Association and volunteered for other ad hoc committee work. He was serving on the Ministry and Care Committee at the time of his death.
George looked for opportunities to support creative projects, and was always ready to reach out to others, make connections, build bridges, and share experiences and insights. For example, when the Islamic Center in Tucson was vandalized in 2018, George arranged several mutual visitations with Pima Meeting.
George was married to Nancy Pedrick Mairs for 53 years. They kept an open house where many were welcomed to stay. George was Nancy’s caregiver for more than 30 years as her multiple sclerosis progressed. Mary DeCamp joined the family, helping to care for Nancy as she declined and then staying in community with George following Nancy’s death in 2016.
In his last years, George fell in love with Roselyn Thompson, a Diné elder, upon whose death George inherited a Navajo family.
George was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Mairs; a son, Ron Mairs; and one grandchild.
He is survived by two children, Anne Mairs (Eric Peterson) and Matthew Mairs (Fendy Chen); and four grandchildren.
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