It is with profound sadness that we share the news that longtime Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections member, Marcy Revelez, passed away on June 18, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. She was 53 years old.
Marcy was born in Andrews, Texas, where she was raised in a close-knit family with her parents, brother, and sister. She often spoke with pride about her parents, one of the first people of Mexican descent to own a business in Andrews. Growing up in West Texas, Marcy developed a lifelong appreciation for nature and the outdoors—an interest that would shape both her career and her life’s work. She loved music, was an avid reader and enjoyed her crafts such as knitting and cross-stitch. She had a deep affection for her adopted dogs, Duncan and Max.
Marcy attended Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, where she studied under Dr. Robert “Bob” Dowler, professor of biology and curator of the university’s natural history collections. Under his mentorship, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and developed a deep appreciation for natural history collections and their importance to research and education.
She later continued her education at Texas Tech University, studying biology in one of the nation’s premier programs for mammalogy. During this time, Marcy realized that her true passion lay not only in biological research, but in the stewardship and management of scientific collections. That realization helped guide the next stage of her career.
Marcy accepted the position of Collection Manager of Mammals at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, working with museum director and mammologist Dr. Michael Mares. At the Sam Noble Museum, she managed one of the country’s significant mammal collections while also assuming responsibility for the museum’s growing genomic collections. In both roles, she established exceptionally high standards for collections care, documentation, and preservation. She was also instrumental in developing the museum’s integrated pest management program, helping safeguard its invaluable collections for future generations.
Her work with genomic collections soon extended beyond the museum. Marcy became a leader in the effort to develop community best practices for the preservation and management of frozen tissue collections, contributing to standards that continue to benefit natural history collections worldwide.
After several successful years in Oklahoma, Marcy returned to Angelo State University as Collection Manager of the Natural History Collections working with her mentor and friend Bob Dowler. Once again, she demonstrated her remarkable ability to connect with students, collaborate with faculty, and foster enthusiasm for museum collections and their role in scientific discovery and society.
It was during her time at Angelo State that a former student recruited Marcy to join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she was entrusted with leading the agency’s biorepository for its extensive scientific collections. It came as no surprise to those who knew her that she excelled in this role. Marcy’s infectious enthusiasm, extraordinary organizational skills, and ability to process and manage vast amounts of complex information made her an invaluable asset to the CDC and to the scientific community it serves. It wasn’t long before the biorepository was accredited and became a gold-standard for biorepositories.
Not long after joining the Sam Noble Museum, Marcy became an active member of SPNHC. She was a frequent presenter at annual meetings and generously shared her expertise with colleagues throughout the profession. She was a social magnet at the meetings, reconnecting with old friends and quick to introduce emerging professionals to her vast network. In 2008, Marcy co-chaired the society’s annual meeting in Norman, Oklahoma, that set records for attendance. She remained active on the Conference Committee for a few years after to establish a more formal partnership with conference vendors.
Together with her colleague Liz Leith, now Director of Anthropology Collections at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Marcy also co-chaired the SPNHC Documentation Committee, helping transform it into what is now the SPNHC Best Practices Committee. Her leadership helped establish a lasting framework for developing and sharing professional best practices and standards across the natural history collections community.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Marcy knew they had a truly special friend. She welcomed everyone with warmth, kindness, generosity, and an unmistakable sense of humor. Her enthusiasm was contagious, her laughter unforgettable, and her willingness to help others seemed boundless. She had a unique gift for making colleagues feel like lifelong friends and for building a sense of community wherever she worked.
Marcy leaves behind an amazing legacy—not only through the collections she cared for, the standards she helped establish, and the students and professionals she mentored, but also through the countless lives she touched with her compassion, generosity, and joy. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the entire SPNHC community. Her smile, her laughter, and her unwavering passion for natural history will remain an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her. A SPNHC travel grant is being established in Marcy’s name. If you would like to contribute, please contact the SPNHC Treasurer (treasurer@spnhc.org).
Tim White
Yale Peabody Museum (retired)
Tim White Museum Consulting LLC
Liz Leith
Anthropology Museum Director & Campus NAGPRA Coordinator
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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