Mary Ann Eiff

Mary Ann Eiff, 78, of Athens TN went to be home with the Lord on October 31, 2022. She held both FAA pilot and A&P mechanic ratings, earned a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College and a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. As an aircraft mechanic, she worked for Air Illinois Airlines, Southern Illinois University Flight program and American Trans air Airlines.

Mary Ann was a pioneer in the field of women in aviation and taught as a professor in Aeronautical Engineering Technology at Purdue University before her retirement. While at Purdue she coached the first colligate flight team to win the prestigious Air Race Classic (Powder Puff Derby) women’s cross country air race. She was a Founding Board Member of Women in Aviation International and served as the organization’s Scholarship chair, awarding over a million dollars in scholarships to aspiring future aviation professionals as the organization grew to its present size of over 15,000 international members. Mary Ann earned a Silver Beaver award for her long time service to the Boy Scouts Egyptian Council, also serving as a leader of High School aged Scouts under an Aviation, a Search and Rescue, and later a Sailing Explorer Post. She was awarded the 2004 Leadership Award at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Oshkosh Fly-in, which was presented to her by Harrison Ford, for her long history of encouraging and enabling young people in pursuit of aviation careers. In retirement she was a member of the McMinn County Amateur Radio Club with the amateur callsign W8MAE. Mary Ann was dedicated to the growth and education of youth and adults alike, and especially enjoyed helping individuals that strive to break the stereotypical boundaries.

Surviving her are her husband of 56 years Dr. Gary Eiff, daughter Christina (Mark) Ridings, son Paul (Gloria) Eiff, granddaughter Kimberly Bruce and grandsons Austin Ridings, Logan Privette, Byron Eiff, Corben Eiff and two great grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you consider donating to the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) Mary Ann Eiff Memorial Scholarship fund. This fund will continue Mary Ann’s endeavors, encouraging the next generation of aviation maintainers, and enabling the pursuit of their career ambitions. at awam.org 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 7:00 pm at Companion Funeral Home of Athens with Michael Elkins and Kenny Whitt officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm prior to the service.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Mary Ann or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.