Mary Jo Gottlieb, of New York City, died in the company of her loving family at home on November 24, 2011, four months after her diagnosis of advanced lung cancer. Born in St. Louis, MO on November 18, 1946, She is survived by her sister Jane Gottlieb Sauer, brother-in-law Donald C. Sauer, nieces Julie Rosen, Karen Sauer, Rachel Simonson, Diane Thames, nephews Leo Rosen, Jeffrey Sauer, Rick Sauer, great nieces and nephews and countless friends who she held as close as family. Mary graduated University City High School in 1964, Washington University School of Art in 1968, both in St. Louis, MO, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Missouri 1970-72. Mary had a long and varied career in the fashion industry including design, executive retail training, and production patternmaking, with a specialization in Technical Design. She was the Director of Technical Design for such labels as Liz Claiborne Lizwear Division, Tommy Hilfiger Children’s, and Liz Kids, and a technical designer at numerous other labels. Considered an expert in her field, she was a frequent reviewer of patternmaking and technical design textbooks. About 2004 she discovered that her real passion was teaching, making changes in her life that opened the doors to teach at Parsons New School of Design, Art Institute of New York City, and Kent State New York City Studio.

Mary will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. We will miss her generous nature, love of food, keen sense of design and desire for perfection. Everything Mary did in life, she did with passion and excellence. Mary had a sharp wit, lively spirit and our table will always be the poorer without her there.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at 3 pm on Sunday December 11, 2011, in the community room of Lincoln Guild, 303 West 66th St. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger located at 263 West 86 Street New York, NY 10024. 212-362-3662, WSCAH.org.