Mary Joine Dum, a leading expert on the use of computers in real estate appraisal and a former product reviewer for National Mortgage News and Mortgage Technology magazine, died on Dec. 15 in Brentwood, California. She was 80.
Mary's long career as a writer and editor began in 1981, when she helped found the influential Real Estate Analysts Northstar Users Group (REAMUG). She was editor of the bimonthly REAMUG Journal until 2010, when REAMUG disbanded. She contributed regular product reviews to National Mortgage News and its sister publications, as well as other appraisal and mortgage trade press.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931, Mary graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Ohio State University in 1953. She married Thomas E. Dum, MAI, also of Ohio, in 1953. She worked as a laboratory technician and supervisor for 12 years at Ohio State before moving to California in 1963.
Mary is survived by her husband, her son Edwin T. Dum, MAI, daughter-in-law Ann Dum, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Livermore, California. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
