Audrey MacKenzie Passes Away
The National ME/FM Action Network is deeply saddened by the passing of Audrey MacKenzie. Her tremendous contribution to furthering the recognition and understanding will be remembered for years to come.
June 6, 2007 Funeral arrangements
Dear friends,
Family has now finalized the funeral arrangements for Audrey.
It has been communicated to us that the information will also be in the Toronto Star on Thursday, June 8th and Friday June 9th.
The M.E Association is forwarding the following additional announcement to you:
VERY SAD NEW RE: Audrey Mackenzie
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear friend, colleague and family member Audrey Mackenzie. Audrey, who was originally from Springfield, Ontario, was a registered nurse who became an accomplished ICU nurse, and later a head nurse. Nursing was her life and love. From 2000 to 2006, Audrey was the driving force and past president of the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario (MEAO). As president of the MEAO and a sufferer of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E./CFS) herself, Audrey tenaciously advocated for the illness and tirelessly devoted all of her waking time in assisting friends and colleagues and all who contacted the association to seek direction and advice on how to best deal with the varied demands placed on them or their loved ones by this illness. Audrey became quite an authority on ME/CFS and was regularly called on to impart her knowledge and expertise. While living in Toronto and working in the Health Services Field, and while persistently leading The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario for so many years, Audrey nurtured many close friendships. Audrey will be dearly missed by her brother Ralph Cornish, and his wife Gwen of Springfield, Jean Cornish of St.Thomas; her nieces and nephews: Robert, Geoffrey, Christine, Brad, Ian and Benjamin. She is predeceased by her brother Harvey. She will be dearly missed by her close friends and confidants: Barb, Diane, Eleanor, Lene, Lydia, Maries, Tiina and Dan, Terry, Tony, Shine Namsu Kim, Dr. A. Bested, Dr. T. Beaulne, Dr. Borins and Dr. L. Marshall. She will also be sadly missed by her many friends, colleagues and co-advocates within the M.E./CFS community.
Friends and family may call at McBeath-Dynes Funeral Home in Ingersoll Ontario. Visiting hours are on Friday, June 8th, from 2 – 4 p.m., and 7 – 9 p.m. The Funeral will be held at the same Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9th, at 11:00 a.m. Directions to the Funeral Home are as follows: take Highway 401 west to Highway 19 / Plank Rd. and proceed north on Plank Rd. to 246 Thames Rd. (Plank Rd. becomes Thames Rd.) After driving on Plank Rd. for about 5 minutes you will pass a park on the right side - the Funeral Home will be straight ahead.
The M.E. Association of Ontario and Audrey’s Toronto friends are planning a Memorial for her in Toronto within the next few weeks. Details will be provided to you once the date, time and location are confirmed.
June 5th
Letter from the president of the ME Society of Ontario
Dear Friends:
As a follow-up to Maries’ last email on Audrey’s condition, I am very saddened to have to share with you that about 2:30pm this afternoon, Audrey MacKenzie passed away in the ICU of Mt. Sinai Hospital. I was there at the hospital but did not get to see her before she died. Her family and close friends very much appreciate your past support, your kindness and your prayers for Audrey, particularly during these past few days.
As yet, we do not have any information on the funeral arrangements for Audrey. We will however be in contact with her brother Ralph who lives in Avon and once such arrangements are finalized, we will communicate them to you.
As dear Audrey would want me to repeat, thanks so much for all of your past support.
Respectfully,
Anthony Rovito, President
The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario