Maurine McTyre, 1923-2020

Maurine Robles McTyre, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel among American Affinity Peoples in Chile, died Oct. 26, 2020, in Syracuse, New York. She was 96.

McTyre was born Nov. 5, 1923, in Chicago, Ill., but grew up mostly in Tampa, Florida. She received the Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tampa and received the Master of Science in Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.

In 1945, she married John Holland McTyre, a serviceman she had met at church while he was stationed in Tampa. After years of service at several Baptist churches in Georgia, Maurine and John were appointed as foreign missionaries with the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board).

When applying for missionary appointment, McTyre wrote that growing up in home where her father was a pastor, missions was part of home and church life. During college, she wrote, the need for missionaries weighed heavily upon her heart.

The McTyres served together for almost 27 years in Santiago, Chile where Maurine taught music and led vocal and handbell choirs. She was also a highly regarded church pianist. According to her family, Maurine was well known for her gift of hospitality; she always had a warm smile and a space at her table.

In 1985, Maurine and John retired to Tampa, Florida, where they coordinated conversational English classes for the nearly 1,000 international students attending the University of South Florida in Tampa. They later moved to Syracuse, New York, to live near their children. Maurine lived there for over 15 years.

John, her husband of 68 years, died in 2014. She is survived by her son, J. Andrew McTyre (Sarah); her daughter, Maurine Elizabeth McTyre-Watts (Jim Watts); and one granddaughter. Maurine was predeceased by her oldest daughter, Janelyn Robles McTyre, in 2011.

A memorial service was held online on Oct. 31, 2020, hosted by Plymouth Congregational Church in Syracuse. She was laid to rest with her husband in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Dade City, Florida.

Donations in Maurine’s memory may be given to Plymouth Congregational Church, 232 E. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 or specifically for its handbell choir or food pantry.

Read an obituary here.