Brief: Mendota Heights Woman Named 'Beautiful Mind'

Mendota Heights resident Mary Turner Maher, 83, was named a Beautiful Mind in the "Beautiful Minds: Finding Your Lifelong Potential" national competition to promote brain health.

Contest participants must be 55 years or older and embody four critical aspects of brain health: diet and nutrition, physical health, mental health, and social wellbeing.

National Center for Creative Aging, together with dietary supplement life’sDHA, sponsors the competition. 

11 “Beautiful Minds” were chosen from across the country.

After being a stay-at-home parent to five children, Turner Maher attended college for the first time at age 42. At age 56, she completed her doctorate in educational administration.

After completing her education, she worked as a school psychologist, a director of special education, and as an assistant superintendent. She was a member of the Inver Grove Heights School Board for 14 years.

“I’m a lifelong learner,” Turner Maher told Patch.

Winners will be featured in a national traveling photo essay exhibit and receive $500 to donate to the charities of their choice.