Mary Fennell

Dr. Mary Fennell passed away in Bellingham, Washington, on June 15, 2026. She was born in Santa Clara, California, on September 15, 1952.

Mary earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1974 and later received both her Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Sociology from Stanford University. She dedicated her professional life to academia, serving on the faculties of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Penn State University before joining Brown University in 1995. At Brown, she was a Professor of Sociology and Community Health and a respected academic leader, serving in numerous roles including Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Dean, and Dean of the Faculty. Mary was deeply committed to advancing faculty diversity, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving access to quality healthcare. Her scholarship on healthcare organizations was widely published and influential, and she consulted with the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program to improve patient access to advanced cancer care.

While living in Chicago, Mary met Dennis Hogan. They married in 1979 and built a loving family together. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Mary found great joy in singing with community and Episcopal church choirs, gardening, bird watching, and helping refugee families through her church in Rhode Island. In 2022, Mary and Dennis moved to Washington State to be closer to family.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James and Frances Fennell; and her sister, Susan Baker.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years, Dennis Hogan; daughter, Meghan Hogan; son, Michael Hogan and his husband, Rafael Ramirez; sister, Patti Fennell and her husband, Michael Morales; and her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and members of the extended Hogan family.

A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 16, 2026, at Epiphany Parish in Seattle, Washington.

Memorial donations may be made to Episcopal Migration Ministries.