Mary Anne Bassett Frey, 84, of Dayton, passed away on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. She was born to John E. and Frances E. (nee Walker) Bassett in Washington DC, on Dec. 15, 1934. She was a member of the Center for Spiritual Living.
Mary Anne earned her B.A. in Physics in 1969, and Ph.D. in Physiology from George Washington University in 1975, and her M.B.A. from Florida Institute of Technology in 1984. She most recently worked at Wright State University School of Medicine, and was Professor Emeritus in the Aerospace Medicine Program. For 18 years, Dr. Frey worked with the US human space-flight programs (NASA); Program Scientist for the Human Research Facility of the Intl Space Station, Program Manager for the Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program, and was the Program Manager for the Neurolab Spacelab Mission, which flew in 1998.
Dr. Frey was a consultant for NIH National Center on Minority Health and NASA Bioethics Task Force. Dr. Frey worked for many years to encourage minorities and women in scientific careers and created the Frances E Walker Fund at GWU for Women in Physics. She was an active member of Aerospace Medical Association, American Physiology Association, American College of Sports Medicine, International Academy of Astronautics, and Association for Women in Science. Dr. Frey’s honors and awards include her Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Pi Sigma memberships, Louis H. Bauer Founders Award from Aerospace Medical Association, Honorary NASA Flight Surgeon awarded by Society of NASA Flight Surgeons, and the NASA Silver Snoopy Astronaut’s Special Award.
She enjoyed playing tennis and her Five Season’s team went to the National Championships twice. Mary Anne loved to travel and took her family on many amazing vacations.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert James Frey; daughter, Dr. Laura (Teri) Frey Horn; and kitties Chester and Chelsea. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Pie Frey (Michael Lent) of Nederland, CO; Karen (Robert) Anderson of Waynesville, OH; son-in-law, James Horn of Roundhill, VA; grandchildren, Melissa Smith and Laura Anderson of CO, Ophia, Michelle, and Jameson Horn of VA; brothers, Dr. John E. (Kay) Bassett of MI, Stephen (Carolyn) Bassett of SC; great grandchildren, Alexander, Anderson and Isaac; several nieces and nephews; beloved dog, Prince.
Family will greet friends at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4100 Benfield Dr., Kettering. Celebration of Life will continue at 3 p.m. at the Center with a reception following (TBA). In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.
