[Nfbmo] Fw: [nfbmi-talk] priscilla mckinley obit

[fred olver]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 2:42 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] priscilla mckinley obit


> Priscilla McKinley of Iowa City, and formerly of St. Ansgar, died on 
> Sunday, December 12 at her home in Iowa City.
>
>
>
> Priscilla Leigh McKinley was born on August 10, 1961, in Osage, Iowa, the 
> youngest child of the late Philip and Phyllis McKinley. She grew up in St. 
> Ansgar,
>
> graduating from St. Ansgar High School in 1979. Despite losing her 
> eyesight at age 22, due to complications of diabetes, and suffering 
> serious health problems
>
> for many years, Priscilla lived an exceptionally full life and was an 
> inspiration to many others as a successful, confident, and competent blind 
> person.
>
> She earned her B.A. degree in English at the University of Iowa in 1993 
> followed by a Master of Fine Arts degree with honors in Nonfiction Writing 
> in 1998,
>
> and her Ph.D. degree in Language, Literacy, and Culture in 2006. Her 
> doctoral dissertation, Literacy in the Lives of the Blind, investigated 
> how literacy
>
> practices of the blind have been influenced by technology and sponsors of 
> literacy, including parents, teachers, and rehabilitation professionals. 
> As a
>
> strong advocate for making computing technology more accessible and of 
> exploiting that technology to improve the lives of vision-impaired people, 
> Priscilla's
>
> pioneering approaches gained the attention of the popular press, and she 
> was featured in an article in the New York Times and on the CBS Evening 
> News.
>
>
>
> Priscilla won numerous scholarships and awards, including a 1996 National 
> Federation of the Blind scholarship and a 1998 NFB TenBroeck Fellowship. 
> As a
>
> graduate student and instructor at the University of Iowa, Priscilla 
> taught many writing courses and was an engaging and beloved teacher. In 
> 2000, based
>
> on nominations by her current and former students, she was named Blind 
> Educator of the Year by the National Federation of the Blind.
>
>
>
> A prolific writer, Priscilla had numerous works published in technical 
> journals, literary magazines and books. She was a seemingly tireless 
> organizer and
>
> served in many positions, including vice president of the National 
> Organization of Blind Educators, as a member of the Board of Directors of 
> the NFB of
>
> Iowa, and as a mentor to many individuals who had recently lost their 
> vision. She was serving as president of the Old Capitol Chapter of the NFB 
> at the
>
> time of her death.
>
> (2 of 2)
>
>
>
> Through her stubborn refusal to give in to the complications of diabetes, 
> she defied the odds so many times that those close to her began to feel 
> she was
>
> invincible. Known for her independent spirit, feisty character, and 
> perseverance, Priscilla was able to find humor in the most dire 
> situations, even if
>
> it meant laughing at herself. In spite of many health setbacks, she was 
> able to go on and reach outstanding personal achievements and touch the 
> lives of
>
> many individuals outside her circle of family and friends. Priscilla was a 
> loving and devoted mother, a beloved sister and aunt, and a cherished 
> friend.
>
> She will be missed by all.
>
>
>
> Priscilla is survived by her son, Jonathan Whalen, of Vienna, Virginia, 
> her companion C. Thomas Foster of Iowa City, two sisters, Ann Randall of 
> Sioux Falls,
>
> South Dakota, and Jane McKinley of Hopewell, New Jersey, two brothers, 
> William McKinley of Madison, Wisconsin, and Philip McKinley of Okemos, 
> Michigan,
>
> nine nieces and nephews, her sweet dog, Bella, and many relatives and 
> friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Marcia 
> McKinley.
>
>
>
> A private burial will be held at the St. Ansgar City Cemetery. On Tuesday, 
> December 28, at 2:00 p.m., friends are invited to gather to offer their 
> condolences
>
> to the family at the United Methodist Fellowship Hall, 510 West Fourth 
> Street, St. Ansgar, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, 
> December
>
> 29 at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Memorial Union on North Madison Street in 
> Iowa City. Arrangements have been made through Lensing Funeral Service in 
> Iowa City.
>
>
>
> In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the 
> National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, 2721 34th Street, Des Moines, 
> Iowa, 50310. Priscilla McKinley | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press 
> Citizen
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