Jane McNabb, a 47-year employee at MIT's Department of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography--a precursor to the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS)--died on Saturday, May 24. She was 84.
McNabb, of Boston and Natick, worked as an administrator in the department that would combine with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences to form EAPS. She spent almost five decades at MIT--from 1951 until 1998--and in 1993 was recognized with the James N. Murphy Award for her inspired and dedicated work at the Institute.
Colleagues remembered her as the voice of meteorology at MIT, calling her not only the "chief of staff, but truly the den mother." She brought together students, faculty, staff and visitors and made them part of a family--her family--so that being in the meteorology department was much more than a professional circumstance.
Students remembered her as a nurturing mentor, helping many of them adjust to university life and the rigors of their studies, especially those that had relocated to Cambridge from other states and countries.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 31, at Saint Linus Church in Natick.
