Dr. Nazneen Sada Mayadas

Dr. Nazneen Sada Mayadas, Professor Emerita of the School of Social Work at the University of Texas Arlington, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2015, at her home. Truly a global citizen, Dr. Mayadas lived, worked, consulted and travelled in over 150 countries. Born in Lucknow, India, Nazneen came to the United States in 1959, holding the degrees of Bachelor of Arts from Lucknow University and Master of Arts from Allahabad University, both in India. She received a Master of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, and a doctorate in Social Work from Washington University, St Louis. Dr. Mayadas served on the faculties of St. Louis University and The University of Texas at Arlington, where she established herself as a prolific researcher, scholar, award winning teacher, and tireless contributor to the advancement of the profession. She also served as visiting professor on the faculties of Smith College, Washington University, St Louis and the University of Wales, Cardiff. At the time of her retirement in 2006, she had practiced social work for 50 years in India, Canada, The United States, and in her capacity as Chief of Social Services in the Office of the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland. She practiced in many countries and continents of the world working for better conditions for refugees. Personally, Dr. Mayadas evidenced a joy in life, a strong interest in others and the world, and fearlessness in facing challenges. She was loved by students and colleagues alike and was a mentor to hundreds. Her friends and family viewed her as open minded, warm, generous, and strong, with values and standards to be emulated.

Dr. Mayadas featured as one of 15 women in Professor Alice Lieberman’s 2010 book, Women in social work who have changed the world. On hearing of her passing, Alice wrote,

I will always remember her not so much walking into a room, as levitating in, sari flowing, and totally mysterious to us unpolished Texas rubes (sic). She was the kind of person you wished you were, but knew that the raw material was JUST NOT THERE. There will just never be anyone like her. So very, very sorry.

Dr. Mayadas is survived by her partner of 30 years Dr. Doreen Elliott, a nephew Dr. Vivodh Anand and his spouse Dr. Bernadette, a niece Dr. Uma Segal and husband Dr. Madhav, great nephews to Rajive Anand, Kenneth Anand (Safia), Zubin Segal (Kasey), Sahil Segal, to whom she was a special aunt/mashima, generous with her affection and interest, and great, grand nephews, Alexander & Deven Anand.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, June 8, 2015 at St Albans Episcopal Church 911 South Davis Drive Arlington Texas 76013. 
 In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to:

The Bishop Anand Resource Center

Episcopal Diocese of Newark

31 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102

Contact: Jane Jubilee, Director

Tel: 973-430-9902

email: [email protected]