Rachel Ann Maze's Obituary
Rachel Ann Maze, a devoted wife and mother, passed away April 10, 2013 in Tulsa. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, November 3, 1932. She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Bill Phares Maze; three sons to whom she was deeply devoted: Michael William and his wife, Lisa, Boise, Idaho, Matthew Dennis and his wife, Tausha, Jennings, OK, and Mark Jacob, Boise, Idaho. Her primary passion in life was her deep and abiding love for her family and her second commitment was to advocate and to elevate support for public education. She was graduated magna cum laude from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and taught school before moving to Tulsa with her husband. She was an active, longtime advocate, activist, and volunteer on behalf of public education in Tulsa working with business and community leaders, legislators, and parents. She was honored by many organizations for her work on behalf of education among which were Phi Delta Kappa for Outstanding Contribution to Education by a Lay Citizen, by the Oklahoma School Public Relations Association as a Partner for Excellence, and by OETA with the F. D. Moon Award for significant advancement of education for students. She served on the board of directors of Manion Park Community Council, Operation Aware, American Red Cross Youth Services Adult Advisory Board, South Tulsa Community Mental Health Center, Oklahoma Federation of Parents, Tulsa Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Camp Fire, and was a charter trustee of The Tulsa Education Fund resigning from the board of trustees in 1990 to become its first fulltime Executive Director. She was very committed to The Tulsa Education Fund. In 2001, The Tulsa Education Fund and The Foundation for Tulsa Schools consolidated, and Rachel was asked to continue as Executive Director of the surviving organization. She was very excited about the new opportunity and the potential to expand support for teachers and students. She truly loved her work. Rachel served as the Chair of the Bond Development Committee for the 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2005 Tulsa Public Schools bond issues. She also served as Co-Chair with Rodger Randle on the Bond Oversight Committee. Rachel was a good, loyal and trusted friend to many and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
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