DR. RACHEL MARY

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DR. RACHEL MARY McKENNA 1956 - 2003 Rachel McKenna PhD was a professor, research scientist, feminist, wife, and mother of two wonderful girls, Miriam and Alice, her pride and joy. She died on Saturday, January 25, 2003, aged 46 years, of advanced breast cancer after an unflinching three-year fight against the disease. She immigrated to Canada from Ireland with her husband, James Gough, in 1980, worked at the University of Manitoba for 18 years, and in 1998 accepted an offer from the University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services. Dr. McKenna published numerous scientific papers (in such distinguished journals as the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet), addressed many national and international scientific meetings as well as organizations promoting women in scientific careers. She lived a complete life and touched many other lives in her time. Family and friends have come from Britain, Ireland, and Manitoba to celebrate Rachel and mourn her death. Condolences continue to arrive from several countries. For Alice she was "a very loving mother and very strong and brave woman", and for Miriam "a great role model, amazing mother and a dynamic person I will never forget". Her husband loved her and relied greatly on her throughout their 24 years of marriage. Relatives and friends are invited to prayers and tributes at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2424 - 24th Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB, on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Thursday, January 30 at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Bodgan Sianozecki SDS, Presider. To e-mail expressions of sympathy: condolences@mcinnisandholloway.com Subject Heading: Dr. Rachel McKenna In her memory, donations may be made to "The Dr. Rachel McKenna Memorial Lectureship in Transplantation", The Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, (attention Fund Development Co-ordinator). In living memory of Dr. Rachel McKenna, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, "Crowfoot Chapel", 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W., CALGARY, AB TELEPHONE: (403) 241-0044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2003