Obituary

(Photo courtesy UMHS)

Morley's long and distinguished career at the U-M Health System (UMHS) spanned more than 50 years and included major contributions to the fields of obstetrics, gynecology and oncology. He retired in 1998.

"George was a very well-known, internationally renowned gynecologist and oncologist. Yet he was also a warm, generous and kind-hearted man," says Dr. John O.L. DeLancey, the Norman F. Miller Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of pelvic floor research.

Morley was best known for his work as a surgeon for benign and malignant gynecologic disease, and for his work establishing the role of pelvic exenteration surgery in the treatment of recurrent cancer of the cervix for women who previously had no hope of cure. This surgical series has the highest five-year survival rate reported in the literature and remains a landmark of success in treating recurrent cancer in the pelvic area.

He had a long and distinguished career as president of numerous professional societies, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society of Pelvic Surgeons, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, and the Norman F. Miller Gynecologic Society. He was a member of the board of governors of the American College of Surgeons.

Three times in his career Morley was named one of the country's best doctors. He also is the namesake for UMHS's George W. Morley Society, a group for gynecologic oncologists affiliated with U-M during their residency, fellowship or subsequent careers. A professorship in his name was established in 1994, and in 1996 an alumni society of gynecologic oncology trainees was founded in his name.

Morley was widely published, writing more than 100 articles and 15 book chapters, including works about radical hysterectomy, radical vulvectomy and cancer of the vulva.

Morley earned his bachelor of science (1944), medical (1949) and master of science (1955) degrees at U-M. He joined the University faculty in 1956 as an instructor after serving from 1954-56 as a captain in the Army Medical Corps. He moved up through the ranks and, in 1964, became chief of the Gynecologic Oncology Service. In 1971, he was named director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship, which he initiated.

He was named the first Norman F. Miller Professor of Gynecology in 1987, a professorship honoring his mentor.

"He was a landmark here," DeLancey says. "He was loved at the University of Michigan, and he loved the Medical Center. He devoted his life to the University of Michigan."

Morley cared deeply for both his colleagues and his patients, says Dr. Mark Pearlman, professor in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Surgery. "I remember him telling me when I first came here never to call a patient with a cancer diagnosis. He said always to do it in person," Pearlman says. "He always wrote a personal letter to the family of every one of his oncology patients who died."

As a teacher and colleague, he taught kindness and humanity in addition to the tools of the trade. Dr. Dee Fenner, director of gynecology and associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says Morley always was a champion of female physicians and surgeons.

Colleagues fondly recall his book of "Morleyisms"—sayings he adopted or created. "One of the things he said to me was, 'Don't ever be afraid to care too much,'" Fenner says.

The fall 2003 issue of the magazine Medicine at Michigan quoted several "Morleyisms" for which he was known, including "I have come not to torment, but to teach" and "I don't care how much you swear at me during your training, as long as you swear by me afterwards."

Colleagues say that Morley often said of his long career: "I got to treat, and I got to train to treat. What more could one ask for?"

Survivors include his wife, Marcheta; his children, Beverly (Cliff) Boevers, Kathryn (Tadanori) Tomita, George (Mae) Morley, stepson Jay (Patti) Holland, and stepdaughters Carol (Charles) White and Barbara (Stephen Hopkins) Holland, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Constance, in 1960.

A memorial service was held Feb. 25 at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor.

Charitable donations may be made to the George W. Morley Memorial Fund by contacting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at (734) 764-8123 or by e-mail at juckno@med.umich.edu.
—Submitted by Katie Gazella, UMHS Public Relations