Manatee County School Board member Dr. Mary Cantrell passed away Sunday.
Cantrell, 71, had been in hospice care battling bone marrow cancer.
Her family released the following statement:
"It is with profound sadness that our family informs you of the passing of Manatee County School Board Member, Mary Cantrell, Ph.D. on Sunday, July 12, 2015.
At the time of her passing she was surrounded by her loving family and leaves a legacy of dedication to education and youth development.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida - Hoxie Neighborhood or The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
Mary was an active Girl Scouts leader as their First Aider on many camping trips; and she was the first woman to be honored as Manatee County’s Magnetic Man in November 2014, by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee.
Funeral services in St Petersburg followed by a celebration of her life at MTC’s Cantrell Hall are planned for Saturday, July 18, 2015. Additional details will be forthcoming."
Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and School Board Chairman Robert C. Gause issued the following joint statement Sunday afternoon:
“Dr. Mary Cantrell spent close to five decades as a professional educator, including 18 years as the Director of Manatee Technical College, although it was known for most of her tenure as Manatee Technical Institute. Her passion for technical, career and adult education and her devotion to excellence among students and staff transformed MTC into one of the premier technical educational centers in the nation. Her enthusiasm and pursuit of achievement began the tradition that has resulted in MTC students winning more medals at the national SkillsUSA competition than any other technical school in the country – a streak that has recently been extended to 11-straight years.
Since November 2014, Dr. Cantrell served as an elected member of the School Board of Manatee County. Although her time on the School Board was short, she was a contributing member and as always she was devoted to the education of the students she loved.
The main hall at the beautiful new MTC campus on State Road 70 is named in Dr. Cantrell’s honor, and it is a fitting tribute to help us remember and follow the legacy she has left behind. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”
Cantrell was new to the board. She was elected in November, beating incumbent board member, Julie Aranibar.