[stylist] Articles about Priscilla McKinley

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Dear List,

Not sure if anyone saw these, but two Iowa newspapers ran this article.

Don't know about anyone else, but I am still reeling from this.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael D. Barber
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 6:06 PM
To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] [nfb-talk] Article About Priscilla Mckinley


This article appeared in two different papers in Iowa today about the
passing of Priscilla Mckinley.
 
Priscilla McKinley 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. 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. . 

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