Arion

Cornell administrator Margaret Mary Reynolds Arion, 68, of Ithaca, whom friends and colleagues described as "determined," "feisty," "no-nonsense," "humble" and "always putting the needs of others ahead of her own," succumbed to a battle with lung cancer Feb. 4.

Born in North Dakota, Arion came to Cornell in 1967 and first managed the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology until 1988, with a brief stint as administrator of the Division of Biological Sciences, 1974-75. She then served as executive director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Life Science Technologies and administrator for the Institute of Genomic Diversity from 1988 until her retirement in 2007. Among other duties, she served as administrative adviser to the Nanobiotechnology Center from 1999 to 2007; as a member of the building committee for Weill Hall; and as the liaison between Cornell and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation.

"She was the best administrative manager I've ever worked with," said Stephen Kresovich, vice provost for the life sciences. "She always understood priorities, and she would always find ways in the system to make things that were important happen."

A petite woman who was known for her large personality, "she was a gem," added Kresovich. "She had a gruff voice, a tough personality, and she would give you an earful; she had great spirit."

Arion is survived by three daughters and extended family. A memorial service will be announced at a later date by Bangs Funeral Home.

Donations in Arion's memory can be made to Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, online at http://www.hospicare.org or to Save the Children at http://www.savethechildren.org or by calling 800-728-3843.