Margaret Tavenner Rajam, 82, of Riddle Avenue, Morgantown, passed away Thursday, Nov. 30, at Monongalia General Hospital.

She taught art history for many years at West Virginia University and was professor emerita in WVU s Division of Art in the College of Creative Arts.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at East Oak Grove Cemetery, 1291 Dorsey Ave..

A memorial service at WVU s Creative Arts Center will be announced at a later date.

Rajam was born November 19, 1924, in Parkersburg.

She received a doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1977, and taught at Elmira College in New York from 1967 to 1972.

She joined the faculty in WVU s Division of Art as an associate professor in 1972 and became a full professor in 1979. She also served as acting chair of the Division of Art in 1984 and 1985.

Rajam was honored as a Danforth associate, a member of Phi Kappa Phi and a fellow of the American Association of University Women. She was active in the American Association of University Professors.

The WVU professor was also a strong advocate for women artists at the University and in the Morgantown community.

She was awarded professor emerita status in 1991 and continued to teach as an adjunct professor until 1995. Following her retirement, she taught in the Appalachian Lifelong Learners Program.

She was a dedicated professor of art history and was an inspiration to many students, colleagues say. She founded WVU s art history program, and her expertise was on Spinello Aretino and the transformation from Gothic to Renaissance art in Italy.

Rajam conducted research in Florence, Italy, and enjoyed Italian culture. She had a passion for opera and books and a wonderful love of dogs.

She will be missed by many colleagues and former students, but her legacy of devoted teaching will endure.

She is survived by a cousin, Lois McClintick.

Cremation services are being provided by Hastings Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Monongalia County Humane Society, P.O. Box 390, Morgantown, WV 26507 .

Online condolences may be extended at:http://www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.