News
In Memoriam: Marilyn McGinnis Lumia
July 27, 2017
Marilyn McGinnis Lumia (November 4, 1941 – July 16, 2017)
Marilyn McGinnis Lumia died in her home July 16th with her husband Gus and sister Bonnie at her side. Funeral services for Marilyn were held on July 21st at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Wimberley, Texas, where she and Gus lived for the past several years.
Marilyn was born on November 4, 1941, to James and Wilma McGinnis. Her husband Gus, her daughter Karen and son David, as well as her two granddaughters, two great granddaughters, her sister Bonnie and her brothers Steve and Randy, survive her.
Marilyn attended college and university while supporting herself and her two children by teaching guitar. She performed regularly at the Troubadour in Hollywood and did a stint on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour television show, singing and playing guitar. Marilyn accepted a contract writing music and lyrics for Dunhill Records.
Marilyn earned a PhD in anatomy at UCLA, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University in New York City, and then joined the faculty at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan in the department of anatomy, where she earned the rank of full professor.
Marilyn continued her research at Texas State University in San Marcos, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
The Marilyn McGinnis Lumia Scholarship has been established at Texas State University to commemorate her love of music and education. Donations to the scholarship can be made by check payable to “Texas State University” attention “Marilyn McGinnis Lumia Scholarship Fund” and mailed to Dr. Gary Hartman, History Department, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666 or donate online.