[nfb-talk] Article About Priscilla Mckinley

[Michael D. Barber]

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.
.