Mary Catherine Bateson, Clarence J. Robinson Professor emerita, died Jan. 2 at the age of 81. Bateson, the daughter of anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson, was a best-selling author, a linguist, and a cultural anthropologist.
She taught at George Mason University as a Robinson Professor of Anthropology and English from 1987-2002.
“Catherine was a tremendous addition to GMU and a great colleague,” said John Paden, Robinson Professor Emeritus of International Studies. “Always outspoken, insightful and to the point, whether with students, colleagues, or university administrators.”
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, J. Barkev Kassarjian, their daughter, Sevanne Margaret Kassarjian, son-in-law Paul Griffin, two grandsons Cyrus James and Anton Gregory Griffin, and her half-sister, Nora Bateson.
Learn more about her at www.marycatherinebateson.com. Read the obituary that was published in The Washington Post.