Dr. Mary Walters Mumper

Dr. Mary Walters Mumper, 80, of York, PA passed away peacefully with her son at her side on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at SpiriTrust Lutheran Retirement Village at Utz Terrace after a hard fought 5 year battle with the effects of Alzheimer’s related dementia.

Born on Sunday, January 13, 1946 in Greensburg, PA, she was a daughter of the late Virgil C. and Mildred Binkey Walters. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gene Harry Mumper, who died in 2018. Mary received her Doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and later became a Chemistry professor at Frostburg State University for 16 years. While at Frostburg, she served at various times as chair of the Chemistry Department, chair of the Faculty Senate, and as a member of the Frostburg State University Board. She is remembered by students and faculty alike in her goal to help Pre-Med students in particular with the advising she did for the Pre-Professional Medical Society - helping students navigate their way through the medical school application process to get into medical school. For her service to FSU, it’s students, and it’s faculty, she received the President’s Distinguished Faculty award before retiring as an Emeritus Professor of the University in 2013. She was later honored in 2018 by being made an honorary alumnus of the school.

Mary had a passion for music, especially singing and playing the piano. Prior to moving to Frostburg she was an integral member of the choir at Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church in Odenton, MD. She spent many years teaching private piano and voice lessons to students as she worked on her Chemistry doctorate degree. At certain points in her life while living in Maryland, she was also a sailor – she and her husband enjoyed sailing on sailboats they owned and kept at the Maryland Yacht Club in Pasadena, MD and she also crewed on other’s sailboats for races in the Chesapeake Bay. She enjoyed gardening and was a member of the House and Garden Club of Frostburg. Other hobbies and interests of hers were playing bridge, brewing beer, making wine with her husband, cooking, and baking (she was well-known in the Frostburg community for the apple pies that she would make and sell to raise funds for the Relay For Life Team she coordinated for the American Cancer Society).

At the time of death, survivors include her son, Robert (André) Mumper-Ham; four grandchildren, Abigail, Grace and Sophia Mumper, and Christian Mumper-Ham; six siblings, Elinor (Charlie) Olson, Imogene (Robert) Fink, Virgil D. (Erin) Walters, Dean (Vicki) Walters, David (Mary Jo) Walters, and Hazel (Richard) Braun; 3 siblings-in-law, Larry (Joan) Mumper, Diane (Steven) Klutz, and Jay (Cindi) Mumper; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins on both sides of the family.

In a final act of generosity towards education, per her wishes, Mary’s remains are being donated to the Hershey Medical School to be used to help train medical students. Her remains will be cremated and ashes returned to the family afterwards.

A gathering to celebrate the life of Dr. Mary Walters Mumper will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Frostburg State University (FSU) Board Dr. Mary Mumper Service Award dedicated fund.