Margaret "Meg" Anne Bakewell

Meg “Margaret” Bakewell died on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the age of 51 after a lengthy battle with carcinoid cancer. She was born October 9, 1972, in Livonia, Michigan, the daughter of Patrick LaVoy Tombeau and Michele Doran Curry. Meg grew up in Livonia and Bloomfield Hills, and lived in Plymouth and Ypsilanti, Michigan, as an adult. She is survived by her children, Ray Arin of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Benjamin Alexander of Plymouth, Michigan; and Sam Rose Bakewell of Ypsilanti, Michigan; her sister, Katherine (Geoffrey) Cost of Toronto, Ontario; her brother, Chuck Tombeau of Ypsilanti, Michigan; her mother, Michele (Shelley) Doran Curry of Ypsilanti, Michigan; her niece, Iona Jane Cost of Toronto, Ontario; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her father preceded her in death (February 2024). Meg was curious and determined. Her inquisitiveness and keen intellect drove all her pursuits. She was a loving mother and always an advocate for her children. Meg enjoyed traveling, taking numerous trips, visiting Europe, Mexico and Central America, Japan, Greece, and many parts of Canada and the United States, including trips to Alaska and Hawaii. She was an accomplished knitter, and an excellent cook, who freely shared these talents with her family, friends, and colleagues. As a devotee of large rabbits, Meg kept pet rabbits since childhood. She was a lover of music, dancing, gatherings of friends, and bright colors, and she had a fervor for life and all its opportunities. Meg began her professional life in information technology and then decided to pursue a long-time dream of studying genetics. After earning her Ph.D. from University of Michigan (U-M), she began a career at the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) at U-M which allowed her to combine her degrees and expertise with technology with her love of teaching. During her career, Meg collaborated with faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and administrators to promote excellence and innovation in teaching. Known for her creativity, leadership, and a talent for collaboration, she was a source of endless great ideas, and had a deep caring for all of those who worked with her. When she left her work at CRLT in 2019 due to her illness, she was the inaugural Director of the Foundational Course Initiative. Meg received her Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University and earned a Master of Science in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, both at the University of Michigan. Her departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound, and it is gravely felt by her entire family, as well as the countless others in her wide network of friends who loved her deeply. The family deeply appreciates your support during this challenging time and asks that you make contributions to the University of Michigan Center for Education of Women+ (https://donate.umich.edu/8bjKR) or the University of Michigan Women in Science and Engineering (https://donate.umich.edu/4wbeQ) in lieu of flowers. Friends may join the family for a celebration of Meg’s life in the conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, located at 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. A program of remarks from friends and family will begin at 6:00 pm. Meg asked that this be a joyous occasion and that celebrants wear their favorite colors, black or otherwise.

Tributes

Margaret "Meg" Anne Bakewell

October 9, 1972 - February 28, 2024