MacGregor, Mary Katharine

Mary Katharine MacGregor, 89, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

She was born June 2, 1922, in Mason City, Iowa, to Jay B. MacGregor and Helen Kelley MacGregor. A connoisseur of art and music, she worked as curator of prints and drawings at the Joslyn Art Museum, then was professionally affiliated for many years with New York City art museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art, the American Federation of Arts, and the galleries Associated American Artists, Jacques Seligman and Co., and the Weyhe Gallery. After her return to Iowa in 1980, she worked at the Print and Drawing Study Room at the University of Iowa Museum of Art.

Mary held a B.A. in art from Cornell College and an MFA from Columbia University. She came to know personally many of the artists represented in the galleries and museums where she worked, and she acquired a contemporary and modernist art collection including works by Pablo Picasso, Hans Burkhardt, Rufino Tamayo, Pierre Bonnard, Rockwell Kent, Antonio Frasconi, Rudy Poszzati, Louis Lozowick, Charles Klabunde, William Zorach and Francisco Goya.

She is survived by nephews, John MacGregor (Sue), Paul MacGregor (Barbara) and Andrew MacGregor (Sally); nieces, Laurie MacGregor Cuellar (Guillermo) and Katie MacGregor (Alan Furth); and sisters-in-law, Terry MacGregor and Ann MacGregor.

Mary was a strong, contemporary, sophisticated woman who wanted all people to appreciate great art and music.

Memorials may be made to Cornell College.

As per her wishes, there will be no memorial service.

Published in The Gazette May 24, 2012.