Mayburn E. Koss, 89, of Mystic, CT. died Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital.
She was born on June 10, 1922 in Green Bay, WI to the late John F. and Mollie (Kutzra) Koss.
After graduating high school, Mayburn attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison completing her college education in just three years majoring in journalism and home economics. Later she enrolled in graduate journalism at Northwestern University and Columbia obtaining her degree.
Mayburn’s widespread career, spanning well over 60 years, began in Wisconsin working for the Wisconsin Conservation department in Madison as a photographer taking pictures and videos to promote Wisconsin as a vacation destination. She worked as an assistant food editor for the Chicago Tribune and later moved to New York becoming an editor for General Foods where she wrote booklets and package inserts. She continued her career working as an account executive for Theodore R. Sills & Co. and as a brand publicity manager for Lever Brothers. She then worked as a public relations specialist for the United States Brewer’s foundation and afterward joined the New York Times as equipment editor and associate food editor. Mayburn was also a public relations specialist for the J. Walter Thompson Co and later worked in public relations and most recently as a Vice President with the Cuisinart Corporation in Greenwich, CT where she concluded her extensive and glamorous career by means of retirement.
Mayburn enjoyed traveling, photography and entertaining; often having small dinner parties at her residence. Throughout her life and even in retirement, Mayburn enjoyed her hobby of sailing with friends, especially; Thayer (Pete) Kingsley with whom she was special friends for over 60 years.
Mayburn is survived by one sister-in-law, Mrs. J. Don (Grace) Koss; two nephews, Joe (Connie) Koss and John (Jill Layne) Koss; four great-nephews, Jeff (Jennifer), Jason (Tracy), Joe (Liz), and Adam Koss; two great-nieces, Amanda (Tom) Cornette and Nicole Koss; five great-great-nephews, Maxwell, Zachary, Isaiah, Colton, and Hayden Koss and three great-great nieces, Marybeth, Madelyn and Kamryn Koss. All of Mayburn’s family resides in Wisconsin. Mayburn is further survived by a special neighbor, John Culley, Mystic, CT.
Mayburn was preceded in death by her special friend, Thayer (Pete) Kingsley; her parents; one brother, Joseph Donald (Don) Koss, Sr.; and one nephew, James Paul Koss.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 12 Noon at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. Burial will be private.
Mayburn’s family would like to thank John Culley, a special neighbor for his dedicated friendship to Mayburn and her friend, Pete, over the years in particular the last few years as John cared for and assisted our aunt.
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