1/26/2013
National Brain Tumor Society is deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Catherine Calisto, who died peacefully in her home on January 23, 2013. Mary Catherine was 55 years old.
Trained as a chemist, she attended the College of the Holy Cross and then went on to pursue a Master of Science from the University of Michigan, and later earned a Master of International Business (University of Pittsburgh). Her passion for both science and business, allowed her to flourish as a professional at Bayer Corporation, retiring in 2010, as the Business Development Director for Lanxess Corporation.
Travel was her passion and her career took her around the globe where she collected new friends and colleagues during each trip. Mary Catherine was an avid skier, enjoyed golf, and a huge Boston sports fan. She was also an accomplished cook and hostess who loved to gather family and friends in her home to share good food, great wine, and the warmth of friendship. Her charitable work included supporting the Boston Home (Dorchester, MA), serving on the board of the Big Sister Association of Pittsburgh, and as a board member for the (former) Brain Tumor Society, and the (current) National Brain Tumor Society.
As a board member for the National Brain Tumor Society, Mary Catherine envisioned a program that could drive research to new therapies by embracing more translational research methodologies, and fostering high quality collaboration among other nonprofits, government, the private sector, and academia. She said” it’s a big job, and collaboration is easier said than done, but we want to bring those voices together to fulfill the ultimate goal, which is to bring new therapies to our brain tumor community.”
From that day forward, Mary Catherine was instrumental in guiding and inspiring the Organization to deliver on this goal. In 2010, the Mary Catherine Calisto Systems Biology Initiative was announced to actualize her vision to expedite the discovery of new treatments and therapies for brain tumors.
Her service and dedication to the brain tumor community will never be forgotten, and the National Brain Tumor Society staff and its Board of Directors will truly miss Mary Catherine.
